AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0s

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command for ArcGIS users.  This command now enables the user to copy records from one table to the same table or to another table.  To enable this functionality, no features can be selected.  When the command detects that there are no selected features, the command searches for selected records in the tables within the data frame.  If the command finds selected table records, the command will operate as if there were selected features and enable the user to copy the selected table records into a user specified table.

 

2.         Modification to the [Set Active Layer] tool in the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The tool displays a new option at the top of the list called <Enter New Layer Name> which enables the user to manually enter the name of the current active layer.  Previously, the user was only able to select a layer name.  Now the user is able to use this tool to enter the name of the current active layer.

 

3.         Addition of the [Feature Statistics] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to display certain information pertaining to features in a layer.  Specifically this information includes: (a) the maximum number of parts, (b) the maximum number of vertices and (c) the minimum segment length.  Prior to activating this command the user needs to select the layer in the Table of Contents to be processed.  If only certain features are to be processed, the user should select the features at this time.  If no features are selected in the layer then all features in the layer will be processed.  Once the command is selected, a dialog box is displayed prompting the user to enter values for the number of parts and the number of vertices.  These values are used to select features.  If both values are zero then no features will be selected.  Features that have values that equal or exceed the values entered in the dialog box will be highlighted once the command has finished.  This is an excellent tool in locating features that have many parts or are comprised of a lot of vertices.

 

4.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| for ArcGIS users when processing a multi-part feature.  The Decompose All Parts option will now transfer the common attribute values to the new features that are created.  Previously, the attribute values for the new features were not populated.  Now the command will populate the common attributes with the values of the base feature being processed.

 

5.         Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  Three new parameters called: Order Features by:, Delineator Character: and Part to be Modified: have been added to the multi-input dialog box presented by this command.  These new parameters can be used to edit text strings that are comprised of multiple components.  For example, a room may be assigned a room number using the following syntax: 163.04.001.  The Part to be Modified parameter can be used to indicate that the third component (001) is the component that should be modified, while leaving the other components as is.

 

6.         Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The processing of a selected polyline graphic element is controlled by the Order Features by parameter.  The option, Selected Graphic, will be added to the drop-down list for this parameter when the command detects a selected polyline graphic element.

 

7.         Addition of the [Direction Setting] tool in the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The tool enables the user to specify the mode in which distances are to be entered and is located on the far right of the toolber.  The possible values include: (a) Picking Two Points, (b) Entering Two Point Numbers, or (c) entering an Explicit Distance value.  As the user clicks on the tool, the tool advances to the next option.  As the options are scrolled through, the icon and tool tip are updated to reflect the active setting.

 

8.         Addition of the Intersection 19 command within the CEDRA-Intersection2-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users, to allow the user to intersect two normal lines.  In using this tool, the user makes 4 picks in the map area denoting the endpoints of two baselines.  The tool then computes the midpoint of each baseline, afterwhich, normal lines are generated and intersected.  The tool remains active so that additional baselines can be defined and intersected with the first baseline.

 

9.         Modification to the |DataEditor01| tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool has been modified to process more than one feature at a time.  Previously, the user could only process one feature in an operation.  Now the tool can process one or many features at a time.  To select more than one feature at a time the user must activate the layer of the features to be selected prior to activating the command.  To select more than one feature the must define a rectangle rather than making a single click in the map area.  Once the rectangle has been defined the normal dialog box for the layer will appear.  The user can then enter the appropriate values.  Once the OK button has been selected the normal error checking procedures are executed.  Once the data has been verified the values are written to the database for the first feature.  The subsequent features are then processed.  The dialog box will not be presented for the subsequent features.  The tool will process the features using the rules defined in the Themes Attribute File (themes.txt) without any further user intervention.

 

10.       Modification to the Curved Text command within the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new option has been added to the multi-input dialog box presented by the command called Tangent to Curve.  When this option is set to Y for yes, the command will treat the selected feature as a circular curve.  In so doing, the command will compute the center point and radius value using the geometry of the selected feature.  In positioning the annnotation, the X offset value is used to compute the distance along the circular curve proceeding from the start point to the end point.  The Y offset value indicates if the radius is to be increased or decreased.  A positive Y offset value increases the radius, while a negative value decreases the radius.  The angle assigned to the annotation is computed by subtracting 90 degrees from the radial angle from the circular curve's center to the point on the circular curve, controlled by the X and Y offset values.

 

11.       Modification to the Duplicate Features command within the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.6) for ArcGIS users.  A new option called TextString Attribute Match has been added to the parameter Duplicate Features if.  This new option enables the user to check annotation layers for duplicate TextString values.  This is an excellent alternative to using ArcMap's Summarize functionality to determine features that have the same text string value.

 

12.       Addition of the [Create DXF Files] command to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF Files] command enables the user to create a DXF file for every data frame in the document file.  Upon activation of the command, a horizontal dialog box is displayed containing 3 columns and a row for every data frame in the document file.  Column 1 contains the name of the data frame.  Column 2 contains the action to be taken, while Column 3 contains the full filename of the DXF to be created.  The actions that can be taken include Export and Do not Export.  The default filename is derived using the name of the current working direction and name of the data frame.  This command assumes that in the current working directory there is a folder whose name matches the name of the data frame and that the name of the DXF file to be created will be the name of the data frame with the .dxf extension.  During the generation of the DXF files, the command will change in the Table of Contents the active data frame.  In so doing the user can track the progress of the exporting.

 

13.       Addition of the [Layer into Layers] command to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Layer into Layers] command enables the user to copy features from a base layer into other existing layers.  The premise of this command is that the base layer contains a field containing the name of a layer that appears in the Table of Contents.  This command will gather a list of the unique layer names and then cycle through the layer names selecting the features associated with the unique layer name.  The command then searches the Table of Contents for a layer of the same name.  If found, the features are copied into the existing layer.  The contents of the base layer are not altered.

 

14.       Modification to the Intersection 4 command |I 2LINS| to enable the user to define a purely horizontal or vertical line based upon a single pick.  To do so, the user selects the start point of the line, then, rather than selecting the end point of the line, the user can depress the h or v key on the keyboard to denote a horizontal or vertical line is desired.  Making use of this new functionality enables the user to define an implied horizontal or vertical line without having an actual point or endpoint of a feature present.  Additionally, the Escape key can be depressed to reset the command to the beginning.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0r

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command for ArcGIS users when multiple feature types are selected at the time the command is activated.  In adidtion to listing the feature types that are selected in the initial dialog box that is displayed, the command will display the following 2 options, All Features - Same Layers and All Features - CEDRA Layers.  Selecting the All Features - Same Layers option results in the command copying the selected features in the same layers that the features currently reside.  In addition, the original selected features are de-selected and the new features that were created are made selected.  In so doing the user can manipulate these features if so desired.  Selecting the All Features - CEDRA Layers option enables the user copy the selected features into another layer that follows the CEDRA layer naming convention.

 

2.         Modification to the [Delete Vertices] tool within the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The tool will now preserve the curve properties for segments that represent curves.  Previously, the command operated on a geometry as a series of points.  The tool has been modified to process a geometry as a series of segments which enables the preservation of ArcMap true curve elements.

 

3.         Modification to the Union and Buffer command within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The initial dialog box displayed by this command has been modified to contain an additional parameter called Line Gap Fill Mode.  This parameter is used when the Advanced Union mode has been selected and when line features are being processed.  The possible choices for the Line Gap Fill Mode parameter include, Add Segement and Intersection.  These options are employed when the end points of the lines to be unioned are not identical.  The Add Segment option will foce the command to add a segment between the two lines so that they are connected, while the Intersection option will force the command to intersec the two lines to determine the point of connectivity.

 

4.         Addition of the [Proximity Check] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to check if features are within a user-specified tolerance of selected features or all features in a layer.  The result of this command will be a report identifying how many features were found close to the features that were processed.  To use this command, the user must activate in the Table of Contents at least one layer.  If only one layer is active, the command will check to see how many features are close to the other features in the same layer.  If more than one layer is active, the user specifies the Selector Layer, a proximity tolerance and the name of the report file to be created.  Afterwards, the command checks to see how many features in the other layers are close to the features in the Selector Layer.

 

5.         Addition of the Line 24 command [CUBICLES] tool to the CEDRA-Line3-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to create polygons that represent cubicles inset within a partition.  To use this tool the user selects two points that represents the long edge of the partition.  Once this is done, the command poses a multi-input dialog box prompting the user to enter: (a) the number of cubicles to be created, (b) the cubicle length along the partition edge, (c) the cubicle offset from the partition edge, (d) the spacing between cubicles and (e) the side of the partition edge that the cubicles are to be created on.  Should the user wish to pick the cubicle offset rather than enter a specific value, the user can enter P or PICK for this parameter.  In so doing the user can make a pick to denote the cubicle offset once the OK button is selected.  The polygons that are created are stored in the current active layer.

 

6.         Addition of the Offset 9 command |PARL LINES| to the CEDRA-Offset2-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users, to handle the creation of parallel lines with a spacing.  To use this tool, the user makes 4 picks in the map area denoting the start and end points of 2 implied lines.  The command then determines the mid-line between the implied lines.  The user is then prompted for a spacing value.  If a value of 0 is specified a single line is created which represents the mid-line.  If a non 0 value is specified, two lines are created centered about the mid-line separated by the spacing value.  The lines that are created are stored in the current active layer.

 

7.         Addition of the |Annotation at Polyline Vertices| command to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user is able to create an implied polyline by making various picks in the map area.  To terminate the polyline definition the user double-clicks the last vertex comprising the polyline.  At this point the command displays a multi-input dialog box similar to the one displayed by the Text 1 command.  The difference between this command and the Text 1 dialog box is that this command includes an additional parameter called Increment Text String by:.  A value of 0 for this parameter results in the same text string appearing at every vertex comprising the implied polyline.  A non-zero value results in the command increment the last numeric value in the string by the incremental value.  For example, if the user enters a text string called 3-301.01 and an increment value of 5, the first text string created will be 3-301.01.  The subsequent text strings will be 3-301.06, 3-301.11, 3-301.16 and so forth.

 

8.         Addition of the [Find Identical] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to select features in a layer that share a common attribute and a geometric length.  In order for this command to operate, one layer in the Table of Contents must be selected and at least one feature in this layer must be selected.  A dialog box is then displayed prompting the user for the fields denoting the common attribute and geometric length.  Using these two fields the command performs a query on the selected layer.  Those features satisfying the query will be highlighted.

 

9.         Modification to the Relocation 8 command |SMOOTH LINE| for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Maximum N Points has been added to the Weeding Method drop-down list.  This option will force the selected element to have no more than N Points.  The value entered in the second data field is used as N.  If the selected element contains less than N Points the element is left as is.  If the selected element contains more than N Points, the command uniformally interpolates N Points along the element.  This is an excellent tool for de-weeding features.

 

10.       Addition of the |Combine Text| command to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user is able to create a multi-line annotation feature by combining selected annotation features.  In order for this tool to operate at least two annotation features must be selected.  If not, an appropriate error message will be displayed.  If two or more annotation features are selected and this command is picked, the top most annotation feature will be modified and the others will be deleted.  The top most annotation will have the text associated with the other annotation features added as an additional line.  The attributes associated with the top most annotation feature such as font, size, etc. will be maintained.  The only modification made to the feature will be the text string.

 

11.       Addition of the Transfer Attribute command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Transfer Attribute tool provides the user the ability to transfer a specified set of attributes to another feature using a Field Mapping File.  The operation of this tool requires two active layers in the Table of Contents.  The topmost active layer represents the layer whose attributes are to be transferred.  The bottommost active layer represents the layer that will be modified.  If there are not two active layers, an appropriate error message will be displayed.  Once the tool has determined the two active layers, the user has two options to define: (a) the feature to be modified and (b) the feature whose attributes will be transferred.  More than 1 feature can be selected in the attribute transference process.  The first option is to define a rectangle such that all features to be processed are within the rectangle.  The second option is to first make a pick or a rectangle definition that selects the feature to be modified, followed by making another pick or rectangle definition that selects the feature(s) whose attributes will be transferred.  The TRANSFERATTRIBUTES.TXT file represents the Field Mapping File and contains the field mapping between the two layers.  This file must reside in the current working directory and can be created by the user using any text editor such as Notepad, Word, etc.  If this file does not exist, the command provides functionality enabling the user to create the file interactively.

 

12.       Addition of the Copy Selected Features command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Copy Selected Features button provide the user the ability to quickly copy a set of selected features into a layer.  This command shares the exact same code base as the menu item, Copy Selected Features.  The difference between the two commands include: (a) this command is activated by a button selection rather than a drop-down menu selection, (b) the user is not prompted for a field mapping file and (c) the user is not prompted for adding attributes to the layer that the selected features are to be added to, if they do not exist.  Additionally, the user selects the layer in which the selected features are to be added to from a selection message box, rather than from a drop-down list.  Using the drop-down menu selection will typically take 3 clicks from the user to perform a copy operation, while using the button version will require only 2 clicks.  Note that the features to be copied must be selected prior to activating this command.  If not, an appropriate warning message will be displayed.

 

13.       Modification to the [Collapse Polygon to Point] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command will now handle polyline layers.  Previously, only polygon layers were processed by this command.  Now line or polyline layers can be processed.

 

14.       Addition of the |Translate Text| command to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user is able to specify a word mapping file that will change a word to another.  This tool can be used to perform translation.  For example, Spanish to English and vice versa.  Prior to activating this tool the user activates the layer(s) to be processed and if appropriate select the annotation features to be processed.  If the active layer does not contain any selected features then all features in the layer are processed.  Upon activation of the tool a multi-input dialog is displayed enabling the user to specify the dictionary file, the case handling to be performed and the delineating character.  Once the OK button has been selected the command processes the annotation changes performing the word mapping as specified in the dictionary file.

 

15.       Addition of the |Find Street Intersection| tool in the {CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools-2} toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to locate and zoom to the intersection of two streets.  In order to use this command, the user must first activate a layer containing the street centerlines.  If there is no active layer or more than 1 active layer in the Table of Contents, an appropriate warning message is displayed.  Once the command determines the active Street Layer, a multi-input dialog box is displayed.  Using this dialog box, the user specifies two street names which can be comprised of up to 3 components.  These components include the street direction, street name and street type.  Using the street name components, the command queries the Street Layer.  If the command can not find street centerlines for the street name, an appropriate warning message is displayed.  At this point, check the street name and re-execute the command.  If the command finds street centerlines for both streets, the command computes an intersection.  If an intersection can be computed, the display is altered so that the street intersection is centered in the display.  If an intersection can not be computed, an appropriate warning message is displayed

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0q

 

1.         Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when using any of the available options.  When the user defines a parcel that is not closed or an open traverse, the command will now display the option Create Features & Adjust Last 2 Courses in the choice list message box, which is displayed when the command tries to determine what should be done with the non-closed figure.  The new option, Create Features & Adjust Last 2 Courses, is identical to Create Line/Curve/Point Features with the exception that in addition to creating the features, the command will adjust the last two courses in the traverse to form a closed figure.  This is done by translating the last course such that the end point of the last course is identical to the start point of the traverse and by intersecting the last course with the second to last course in the traverse to account for the transformation of the last course.

 

2.         Modification to the [Import Points] command, two new point file options have been added.  These options are called "ID,Y,X,Z,Code,Desc,Hpre,Vpre" and "ID,Y,X,Z,Code,Desc,Hpre,Vpre,Date,Time" and are similar to the "ID,Y,X,Z,Code,Desc" option with the exception that additional information can be specified on a data line and stored with the point.  The Hpre parameter refers to the horizontal precision of a survey point, the Vpre parameter refers to the vertical precision, the Date parameter refers to a date while the Time parameter refers to a time.  The Date and Time parameters are text strings and as such can appear in most any desired format.  The length of each of these fields is 20 characters.  The Hpre and Vpre parameters are of type double.

 

3.         Addition of the [Connectivity Check] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to check the connectivity of point and line features to verify their proximity to each other.  For example, the user can check if points fall within a user-specified distance of a line's vertices.  Likewise, the user can check if a line's vertices are within a user-specified distance of a point.  This is an excellent command to check if the end points of a sewer pipe connect to manholes, or if sewer laterals connect to a sewer main.

 

4.         Modification to the Point 7 command |POINT TICKS|, for ArcGIS users, to provide the user the ability to skip the generation of point features at the start and end locations of the lines and curves being processed.  A new data line has been added to the dialog box that is displayed by this command.  The new data line is as follows:

 

            Create Points at Start/End Points (Y=yes, N=no):

 

            The default response is yes.  A response of Y or y will result in the command creating point features at the first and last vertices comprising a line or curve feature.  A response of N or n results in these points not being generated.

 

5.         Addition of the |Check Attributes| tool to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to scan the selected layers or all layers in the Table of Contents and examine each attribute within a layer for invalid values.  Invalid values are NULL values as well as values which do not fall within the predefined ranges or one of the available options within a CHOICE list as defined in the Themes Attribute File (themes.txt).  If selected layers are to be processed they should be activated in the Table of Contents prior to selecting this command.  If certain features are to be processed then they too should be selected prior to selecting this command.  If no features are selected in a layer then all features in the layer are processed.

 

6.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| for ArcGIS users.  The command now supports the ability to suspend the operation of the command by depressing the s or S key on the keyboard.  When this is done, the user is able to native ArcMap functionality to change the view.  Afterwards, the command can be reselected and resumed from where it was left off.  This capability is extremely helpful when using the Pick Elements option and the user wishes to zoom in on an area to make a feature selection.

 

7.         Modification to the Line 14 command |CHORD/TICK| for ArcGIS users.  The dialog box which prompts the user for the tick length has been modified to include two new parameters.  These parameters are called Type of Tick and Draw Chords.  Both of the new parameters are drop-down lists.  The options for the Type of Tick parameter include: Centered, Not Centered and None.  The options for Draw Chords include Yes and No.  The Type of Tick parameter enables the user to create a tick that is centered about the curve or emanates, outward or inward, from the curve.  A positive tick length generate a radial line using an increased radius value, while a negative tick length uses a decreased tick length.  The None option results in no ticks being created.  The Draw Chords parameter enables the user to control whether chords are created or not.

 

8.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command for ArcGIS users.  The command when copying attributes into the specified layer will only copy fields that are visible.  Previously, all fields with the exception of reserved field names, would be copied.  Now only the visible fields will be copied.

 

9.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command offers two new parameters to the dialog box that is displayed.  These parameters are called Clip Features in Data View and Export Polyline/Polygon Features as LWPolyline Entity.  The Clip Features in Data View parameter can be used when exporting from Data View.  When this parameter is active, features are clipped to the extent of the map display.  Previously, if the feature fell within the current map display the entire feature was exported.  The Export Polyline/Polygon Features as LWPolyline Entity parameter, when active, forces all polyline and polygon features to be exported as the AutoCAD LWPolyline entity.  When this parameter is not active, features will be exported as Circle, Polyline, Hatch entities depending upon the feature being processed.

 

10.       Addition of the [Polylines to 2 Pt Lines] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command enables the user to create 2 Point Line features from polyline features.  The user activates the layer(s) in the Table of Contents to be processed.  If the layer contains selected features then only the selected features are processed, otherwise, all features in the layer are processed.  The 2 Point Line features that are created are stored in the current active layer.  This command enables the user to generate two point lines for the segments comprising a polyline.

 

11.       Addition of the Line 23 command [LIN2POLY] button to the CEDRA-Line3-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to create a polygon given a start line and an end line.  The intermediate vertices of the polygon are computed by tracing lines that are connected between the start and end lines.  Polygons are generated in a clockwise direction, starting with the start line and proceeding until the intersection of the start and end lines is reached or until no other connecting lines can be found.  To use this command the user must activate in the Table of Contents the layer containing the lines to be searched.  The user is able to select multiple start and end lines enabling generation of more than 1 polygon at a time.  To terminate completion of start and end sides, the ESC key should be selected.  At this point the polygon creation will begin.  Should the user select an invalid start or end side, the D key can be selected to delete the last side selected.  To change the view while side selection is in progress, the S key can be selected after which the view can be changed.  The tool can then be reselected and operation of the tool resumes from the point when the S key was depressed.

 

12.       Addition of the |Transfer Feature Attributes| tool within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Transfer Feature Attributes tool provides the user the ability to transfer a specified set of attributes to another feature using a Field Mapping File.  The operation of this tool requires two active layers in the Table of Contents.  The topmost active layer represents the layer whose attributes are to be transferred.  The bottommost active layer represents the layer that will be modified.  If there are not two active layers, an appropriate error message will be displayed.  Once the tool has determined the two active layers, the user has two options to define: (a) the feature to be modified and (b) the feature whose attributes will be transferred.  More than 1 feature can be selected in the attribute transference process.  The first option is to define a rectangle such that all features to be processed are within the rectangle.  The second option is to first make a pick or a rectangle definition that selects the feature to be modified, followed by making another pick or rectangle definition that selects the feature(s) whose attributes will be transferred.  The TRANSFERATTRIBUTES.TXT file contains the field mapping between the two layers.  This file must reside in the current working directory and can be created by the user using any text editor such as Notepad, Word, etc.

 

13.       Modification to the [Points from Annotation] and the [Point from Annotation] commands within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  These commands can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  These commands have been modified to operate on a single annotation layer in addition to their previous mode of operation.  When a single annotation layer is active these commands will create a point feature for every selected annotation feature in the layer with the text string associated with the annotation feature stored as an attribute wth the point.  If no annotation features are selected then all annotation features in the active annotation layer will be processed.  The point features which are created are stored in the current active layer.  If the current active layer exists, the user is able to control which attribute will contain the text string.  If the current active layer does not exist in the Table of Contents, the PTDESC field will be used to contain the text string.  In generating the point features the user is able to control the location of the point.  Specifically, the user is able to generate a point at the Centroid, Low Left Corner, Upper Left Corner, Upper Right Corner or Lower Right Corner of an enclosing rectangle surrounding the annotation feature.

 

14.       Addition of the |Equally Space Annotation| command to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user is able to equally space a set of selected annotation features.  The Annotation Offset value, as specified in the [Change Text Parameters] command, is used in the spacing.  The Annotation Offset value is entered in the Display Units as specified in the {View} [Data Frame Properties...] command.  Prior to activating this command the user must select the annotation features to be processed.

 

15.       Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command to enable the user to copy features of the same type that reside in different layers into the layers the selected features reside in.  Previously, the command was able to only copy the features into a specific layer.  The command now adds the option, Their Same Layers, to the list of layers that is displayed.  Selecting the Their Same Layers options results in the command copying the selected features into their source layers.  Additionally, the features that are copied into their source layers become selected in place the originally selected features.

 

16.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataSource-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The button called CP has been modified to handle broken links.  Previously, the command was not able to process a layer with a broken link, denoted by a red exclamation point.  The CP button is an excellent command for handling cases where data has been moved from one drive to another, which results in a broken link.  Using this command, the user can select the layers with the broken links, activate this command and then enter the old drive identifier, such as C:, and the new drive identifier, such as D:.  The command, using this information, will then change the pathnames for each of the selected layers in the Table of Contents.

 

17.       Addition of the Tangencies 15 command to the CEDRA-Tangencies2-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users, to allow the user to define a reverse curve of equal radii.  This new tool enables the user to establish two reversed curves having the same radius, given the PC and the PT, and a point ahead on each of the entering and the exiting tangent lines to define the direction of said two lines.  Once the four picks have been made, two curves are generated and stored in the current active layer.

 

18.       Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Sort Table of Contents] command for ArcGIS users.  The command will now process Group Layers.  Previously, this command did not process group layers.  Note that when using this command, only top level layers are processed.  That is to say, layers appearing within a group layer are not processed by this command.

 

19.       Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Point & Auto-Search - No Confirmation has been added to the choice list displayed by this command.  This new option is similar to the Point & Auto-Search option with the exception that no confirmation dialog box is posed when multiple paths are encountered.  Using this new option, the program will select the default path and continue until no other elements can be found or a closed figure is generated.  Note to terminate the searching process prior to the command's normal termination, the user can depress the Escape key or the A key on the keyboard.  This option is most useful when the Desired Deflection Angle parameter is set to 0 or 90.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0p

 

1.         Modification to the Offset 1 command |PARL LN| for ArcGIS users when processing polyline features.  A new option called Convert Polyline to Polygon has been added to the drop-down list posed by the command.  Selecting this option results in a polygon feature being created and stored in the current active layer.  If the polyline does not represent a closed figure the command will add a segment connecting the last point of the polyline to the start point to force a closed figure.  This option does not operate on multi-part polygons.

 

2.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| for ArcGIS users when processing a multi-part feature.  The Decompose All Parts option will now discretize circular, elliptical and bezier curves into a minimum of 40 line segments.  Previously, only the start and end points would appear in the resultant geometry.  This option will now try to generate a series of line segments representing the curve.

 

3.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| for ArcGIS users when processing a multi-part feature.  A new option called Decompose All Parts - No Discretization has been added to the drop-down list posed by the command.  This option operates the same as the Decompose All Parts option with the exception that circular, elliptical and bezier curves are not discretized but rather their geometry is maintained.  This of course assumes that the resultant features are stored in a geodatabase and not a shapefile.

 

4.         Addition of the [Polylines to Polygons] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command enables the user to create polygon features from polyline features.  The user activates the layer(s) in the Table of Contents to be processed.  If the layer contains selected features then only the selected features are processed, otherwise, all features in the layer are processed.  The polygon features that are created are stored in the current active layer.  This option is similar to the Convert Polyline to Polygon option in the Offset 1 command |PARL LN| with the exception that multiple features can be processed in a single operation, rather than just one.

 

5.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Point Data] command, for ArcGIS users when processing layers whose spatial reference is not the same as the map.  Previously, the command did not project from the layer's spatial reference to the map's which had the result of the coordinates not being properly computed.  Now, the command will project when the spatial reference does not match the map's spatial reference.

 

6.         Modification to the Relocation 8 command |SMOOTH LINE| for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Keep Start and End Points has been added to the Weeding Method parameter within the multi-input dialog box that is displayed by the command.  This option will remove all intermediate vertices from the lines that are processed keeping only the start and end points.

 

7.         Modification to the Point 6 command |DIVIDE SPACE| to provide the user the ability to create a point or lines by specifying an elevation that is used to interpolate the point's location by using the elevations associated with the two picked points.  Two new parameters have been added to the multi-input dialog box displayed by the command.

 

8.         Addition of the [CONPTS] button to the CEDRA-Line3-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new button enables the user to create a 2D or 3D line by connecting point features based upon the point's Object ID, X Coordinate, Ycoordinate or User Specified Attribute.  Prior to activating this command the user activates in the Table of Contents the layer containing the point features to be processed.  If only a certain set of point features in the layer are to be processed then the user must select these features prior to activating the command.  In addition to activating the point layer, the user should also specify the current active line since the line that is created will be stored in the current active layer.  Once the command has been activated a multi-input dialog box will be presented from which the user can specify the desired parameter settings.  Once the OK button is selected the command sorts the point features to be processed based upon the specified sort parameter.  A polyline is then created using the coordinates of the point features processed and stored in the current active layer.

 

9.         Addition of the [Point Elev. from 3D Polylines] command in the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This new command enables the user to interpolate an elevation for point features based upon a layer containing 3D polyline features.  In using this command, the user must first activate in the table of contents the two layers which represent the point layer and the layer containing the 3D polyline features.  Once done, the user can select the command.  Upon selection of the command, the program will display a dialog box where the user can specify the desired interpolation parameter values, which includes specification of the field to contain the interpolated elevation value.  Note that this command will take into account the elevation values associated with each of the intermediate vertices.  That is to say, the elevation value that is computed is not based upon the polyline's start and end point elevations but rather the elevations associated with the end points of the segment within the polyline that the point falls within.

 

10.       Addition of the Point 8a command |POINT TABLE| for ArcGIS users.  This new command has been added to the CEDRA-Point-Tools toolbar and enables the user to create points using data stored in a table.  The pertinent point data stored in the table is comprised of: (a) a From Point ID, (b) a To Point ID and (c) a Plus value.  The From and To Point IDs denote an implied baseline.  The Plus value represents a distance from the From Point ID and is used to create a point along the implied baseline.  The points which are created are stored in the current active layer.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0o

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The ability to export line weights for layers without having to select the layers in the Table of Contents.  A new option called All Layers has been added to the dialog box presented by the command.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The ability to export point symbols which have a second layer assigned to their symbology.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The ability to export line widths and symbology when the classification contains the NULL value.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The ability to export line symbols containing arrow heads.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The ability to export line symbols containing a character marker.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  Addition of the Read/Write Config File menu item to the drop-down list.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  Modification to the rgbmap.txt file to provide the user the ability to specify the AutoCAD color when the color white is encountered when processing symbols.  A new keyword called BACKGROUND_COLOR has been added to provide this functionality.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  Addition of the CEDRA-RunDXF-Tools toolbar which provides the ability to perform a DXF conversion outside of the ArcMap environment.  In addition to performing a DXF conversion, the command provides the ability to create a PDF in adddition to or solely.

 

9.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The routine which exports arrow heads has been modified to honor the setting of the Export Polygons with Hatches parameter.  When this parameter is active the arrow heads will be exported as a hatch resulting in a filled polygon.  When this parameter is not active the arrow heads will be exported as a closed polyline (no fill).

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The routine which exports callouts/leaders has been modified for improved positioning of the annotation within the callout/leader.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The routine which exports callouts/leaders has been modified to process CharacterMarkerSymbols.  This modification should result in the export of the arrow head that appear at the anchor point of a callout/leader.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The routine which converts labels to graphic elements has been modified to respect the class display annotation setting.  Previously, all label classes were labeled which may be the reason why the symbols are not positioned where they should be in some cases.  Additionally this would result in more text being exported than there should have been.

 

13.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The routine which computes the direction of the leader in a line callout has been modified to better determine the direction of the leader line.  This should result in the arrow heads being properly oriented at the tip of a callout.

 

14.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  If a group layer is turned off (invisible) the layers in the group layer will not be exported even if they are visible.  The group layer's visibility status will govern.

 

15.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  When the Export Line Widths parameter is active for Active Layers or All Layers, polygon features will have their outline line width processed.  Previously, this was not done.

 

16.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  Polygons will now have the color of their outline line symbol processed.  Previously, this was not done.

 

17.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  A new keyword called SYMBOL_BACKGROUND_COLOR has been added to the rgbmap.txt file which appears in the \cedra\avprjs folder.

 

18.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter has been added to the DXFconvert.txt file which appears in the \cedra\avprjs folder.  This parameter is called Export Z values and provides the user the ability to control if Z coordinates are to appear in the DXF file or not.

 

19.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter has been added to the DXFconvert.txt file which appears in the \cedra\avprjs folder.  This parameter is called Label Converter and provides the user the ability to control which method is used to convert labels into graphic text elements.  The value of 0 indicates that the ArcObjects method is to be used, while a value of 1 indicates that the ArcMap method should be used.  The ArcMap method is very similar to native ArcMap functionality that can be employed to convert labels to annotation features stored in the map, not a geodatabase.  The ArcObject method does operate faster than the ArcMap method, so depending upon the user's requirements the appropriate method can be selected.

 

20.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  The software has been modified to read the DXF Configuration File, DXFconvert.txt, which can reside in one of 4 locations.  The locations are defined by the environment variables HOME, TEMP, TMP, CEDRA, and in that order.  The location which contains the file first governs.  That is to say, if the DXFconvert.txt file resides in the HOME and CEDRA folders.  The file in the HOME folder will be processed, not the file in the CEDRA folder.

 

21.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users.  Point features which have been assigned a Simple Marker Symbol will be exported as a pure point symbol in the DXF file.  That is to say, the physical display of the Simple Marker Symbol will not be preserved.  If the physical display is to be preserved the user should use a Character Marker Symbol rather than a Simple Marker Symbol.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0n

 

1.         Addition of the CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools-4 toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar is comprised of three buttons which enable the user to create, recall and delete Layout Definitions.  Layout Definitions preserve pertinent information associated with data frames and graphic elements in Layout View.  For data frames, this information includes the position of the data frame as well as the map scale and extent of the map associated with the data frame.  For graphic elements, this information includes the position of the graphic element.  The basic premis behind these buttons is that the user positions the data frames and graphic elements for a particular layout.  Once this is accomplished, the layout is saved as a Layout Definition.  The elements in this layout can then be moved outside the page limits and another group of elements positioned for another layout, which in turn is saved as another Layout Definition.  This process is repeated for all desired layouts.  The Recall Layout button can then be used to reposition the elements as appropriate.  These buttons are ideal for creating an ArcMap document file with multiple layouts.

 

2.         Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when using the option called "Transcribe Deed with Table".  The Define Parcels 1 command is the first tool in the CEDRA-Deed-Tools toolbar.  The Parcel and Traverse Course Entry Form has been modified to allow the user to explicitly specify the tangent direction of a tangent curve.  Previously, the tangent direction of a curve was specified by entering a Direction value of 0.0 which implied that the direction of the previous course served as the tangent direction of the curve.  Now, the user is able to enter a direction under the Direction column in conjunction with a Distance value of 0.0.  In this case the direction that is specified serves as the tangent direction to be used in generating the curve.

 

3.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Point Data] command, for ArcGIS users to allow the user the ability to generate annotation in one of five modes.  The Include Label parameter has been renamed to Annotation Mode, which contains five options called Plain, Include Label, Enclose w/ Circle, Enclose w/ Box and Create Table.  The Plain option generates annotation representing the values of the attributes to be processed.  The Include Label option is the same as Plain with the exception that the attribute label appears as a prefix to the attribute value.  The Enclose w/ Circle option is the same as Plain with the exception that a circle will place about the annotation.  Likewise, the Enclose w/ Box option places a rectangle about the annotation.  The Create Table option generates a table with a row established for every point to be processed.  The attribute values appear horizontally under this option rather than vertically as with the other options.  The generated features are selected and native ArcMap functionality can be used to relocate the features.  The PEN attribute is used to differentiate the major grid lines from the minor grid lines.

 

4.         Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when using the option called "Transcribe Deed with Table".  The Define Parcels 1 command is the first tool in the CEDRA-Deed-Tools toolbar.  The Parcel and Traverse Course Entry Form has been modified to allow the user to generate the bearing and distance for a line course.  To utilize this new functionality the user enters all of the courses comprising the parcel.  The course that is to have the bearing and distance computed should have the ? character entered for the bearing.  Only one course in the parcel definition should have the ? character specified for the course direction.  When the command detects the ? character for the bearing value, the command will traverse from the last course to the course in question.  A bearing and distance will then be computed and displayed in the table for this course.

 

5.         Addition of the CEDRA-DataSource-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar contains one button called CP, which enables the user to change the data source path name for the active layers and/or tables in the Table of Contents.  Upon selection of this button the command determines if there are any active layers or tables.  If there is not, an appropriate error message is displayed.  If there are active layers or tables, a multi-input dialog box is displayed prompting the user for the string to be changed and the string to replace the string to be changed.  For example, the user could enter C: for the string to be changed and D: for the string to replace the string to be changed.  Once the OK button is selected the command determines the path name for a layer or table and modifies the path name using the data specified by the user.  This command is extremely useful when data is moved from one location to another and the path names have to be changed to avoid broken links within ArcMap.

 

6.         Modification to the |Change Coordinates| tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  This tool when processing line features will now display two new options for the Action parameter.  These options are called Define Line Angle and Make All Shapes Orthogonal, respectively.  Additionally, a new parameter called Angle/Tolerance in Degrees has been added to the multi-input dialog box.  These new Action options and dialog box parameter enable the user to: (a) explicitly set the angle or direction for a line feature and (b)force all line features in the active layer to be perfectly horizontal or vertical..

 

7.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command to enable the user to copy features of different feature type at the same time.  Previously, the command would only process one feature type at a time.  Now the command poses an option All Feature Types when multiple feature types are detected.  Selecting this option indicates that all selected feature types are to be processed.  Under this scenario the default option for the destination layer is Their Same Layers.  The Their Same Layers option indicates that the selected features are to be copied into their source layer.

 

8.         Addition of the Quick Attribute Assignment command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Quick Attribute Assignment button enables the user to assign an attribute value to a set of selected features in one or more layers.  Upon activation of the command a check is made to determine if there are any selected features.  If not, an error message to this effect is displayed.  If there are selected features a dialog box is displayed containing a list of attributes and a data field or combo box control depending upon the selected attribute where the user can specify the desired attribute value.  This command processes the ATTRIBUTES.TXT file which can be located in the current working directory or the CEDRA distribution folder.  The command first looks in the current working directory for this file.  If this file does not exist in the current working directory, the file in the CEDRA distribution folder will be used.  Using this file the user can specify what attributes and values are to be displayed in the dialog box posed by this command.

 

9.         Modification to all tools which prompt the user for a distance or a length.  It is now possible for the user to specify the distance or length value in terms of architectural units.  For example, the following are valid distance or length values: 100', 100' 4" and 100' 4 5/8".  When the tools detect the ' character it is assumed that an architectural length is being specified.  In this mode, the user can enter a foot, inch and fractional inch component.  If an inch or fractional inch component is specified the " character must be the last character in the value.  Additionally, at least one space must separate the various components.

 

10.       Modification to the |Transform 2| tool within the CEDRA-Transform-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Seven new options have been added to the Control Point Location parameter enabling transformations to be performed about the individual features in a selection.  Previously, the transformations were applied based upon the enclosing rectangle for the entire selection set.  Now the user has the option of applying the transformation based upon each feature's enclosing rectangle within the selection set.  All of the new options carry the prefix Feature, which denotes feature based processing.

 

11.       Addition of the Dimension 6 command |CREATE AH| for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to generate an arrow head, slash or point at a specific location.  Once the tool has been activated the user makes a pick where: (a) the tip of the arrow head is to appear, (b) the mid-point of the slash or (c) the location of the point.  After the pick has been made, a multi-input dialog box appears from which the user can select the type of marker to be created, the marker direction and its size.  When creating an arrow head the user has the option of creating a polygon or polyline feature.  In the case of a slash, a two-point line is created with the center of the line being the location of the user's pick.  For point features, the user has the ability to specify the fields where the marker type and direction are to be stored.  In so doing, native ArcMap functionality can be used to symbolize the layer as desired.  Regarding the marker's direction or angle of orientation, the command has 4 pre-defined directions (North, South, East and West) and an option for the user to pick a second point to have the command compute the direction for the user.

 

12.       Modification to the {Annotate} [Text or Attribute] command when using the option Attribute(s) from the Table for ArcGIS users  Two new parameters appear on the initial dialog box that is displayed called Multi-Line Annotation and Single-Line Annotation Delineator.  These parameters are used when the Attribute(s) from the Table option has been selected for processing.  The user now has the ability to create a single annotation feature with all of the attributes appearing as a single line of text separated by a user-defined delineating string.  Previously, this option created multiple annotation features with the attributes listed vertically.

 

13.       Modification to the Relocation 5 command |CUT-OUT| and the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| for ArcGIS users only to copy the attribute values of the base feature being processed to the new features that are created if the layer of the feature being processed does not appear in the Rule Definition File.  Previously, if the layer of the feature being processed did not appear in the Rule Definition File, the new features that were created would have the attributes be blank, 0 or NULL depending upon the field type.

 

14.       Modification to the [Update Geometry] command for ArcGIS users, which appears under the {CEDRA commands} combo-box within the CEDRA-AVcad-Menus toolbar  A new option called Line Elevations from Points has been added to the Mode of Operation choice list that is presented by this command.  This new option provides the user the ability to update the Z or elevation values for line features based upon a point feature close to the end point of the line.  In updating the Z or elevation value for a line, this option can utilize a point feature's attribute value or its geometric Z value if the point feature is 3D.  Likewise, if the line feature is 3D, the user is able to update the line feature's attribute value or its geometric Z value.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0m

 

1.         Addition of the [Point Elev. from 3D Polygons] command in the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This new command enables the user to interpolate an elevation for point features based upon a layer containing 3D polygon features.  In using this  command, the user must first activate in the table of contents the two layers which represent the point layer and the layer containing the 3D polygon features.  Once done, the user can select the command.  Upon selection of the command, the program will display a dialog box where the user can specify the desired interpolation parameter values, which includes specification of the field to contain the interpolated elevation value.

 

2.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Text or Attribute] command when using the option Attribute(s) from the Table for ArcGIS users  Four new options have been added to the Quadrant drop-down list called N : Left, N : Right, S : Left and S : Right which enable the user to left or right justify the annotation in the North and South quadrants.  Previously, the annotation in these quadrants were always centered.  Now the user has the option to left or right justify the annotation in these quadrants.  Additionally, the command has been modified to not create a text feature which contains a single blank character.  Previously, the command would create a text element containing a single blank character when the attribute that was processed contained a single blank character.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users when processing multi-part annotation.  Previously, the annotation would not be exported as expected.  Now, the command will export each of the parts comprising the multi-part annotation as individual text elements maintaining the annotation's insert point, orientation and size for the part.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension for ArcGIS users when processing ILineCallout elements.  The algorithm used for processing these elements has been modified to improve the appearance of the callout element in the DXF file.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command offers a new parameter to the dialog box which is displays.  The parameter Assign Feature Color based upon Layer Color enables the user to indicate that the feature color is based upon the layer color.  In so doing, changing the color of the layer will result in the feature color being changed.  If this parameter is not checked, the color of the feature will need to be changed on a feature basis rather than a layer basis.

 

6.         Modification to the [Assign Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Assign Attribute command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Assign Attribute command will now process an equation.  Previously, the user was only able to specify a specific value or a field name.  Now the user is able to specify an equation that can be evaluated with the results stored in the specified field.  To indicate that an equation is to be processed the user must enter as the first and last characters in the value the characters ( and ).  For example, the string: ((([SHAPE_Length] * (1.0 / 0.3048)) / 5280 * 60 / [FT_SPEED]) * [TIME_FACTOR]) would be recognized as an equation because the first and last characters in the string are ( and ) respectively.

 

7.         Addition of the CEDRA-Transform2-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar provides the T4 or 4 parameter transformation functionality.  A T4 transformation enables the user to transform selected features using a variable number of control points without distorting the features.  That is to say, feature lengths are maintained.  Five tools labeled B, C, BC, T and X appear on this toolbar.  The B tool enables the user to define the base points.  The C tool provides the ability to define the controls points, that is, the location where the base points are to be moved to.  The BC tool allows the user to define a Base and Control point pair without reactivating the tool.  The T tool performs the T4 transformation on the current active layers.  If an active layer contains selected features then only the selected features will be processed.  If the active layer does not contain selected features, the user will be prompted to confirm whether or not all features in the active layer are to be processed.  The X tool deletes the Base and Controls points enabling the user to define a new set of Base and Control points.

 

8.         Modification to the Point Elev. from TIN command within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command is now able to process more than 1 raster or tin layer.  Previously only 1 raster or tin layer could be active during the processing.  Now the command is able to process multiple raster and tin layers in addtion to the point layer.

 

9.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter has been added to the initial dialog box that is displayed by this command.  The new parameter has a label called Desired Deflection Angle and enables the user to specify the desired deflection angle when two or more features are connected at the end point of the line being processed.  This parameter can be used to identify the preferred route of travel when multiple paths are available.  For example, two lines are connected at the end point of a line being processed.  One of the two lines shares the same direction (a deflection angle of 0) as the line being processed, while the other line is perpendicular (a deflection angle of 90).  If the user specifies a Desired Deflection Angle of 90.  The command will make the line with a deflection angle of 90 the first line that is presented for path confirmation.

 

10.       Addition of the [Compute Footage Calls] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command will compute the offsets from the north, south, east and west edges of a polygon or closed polyline feature.  The offsets values are stored in the following fields, FNL, FSL, FEL and FWL, respectively.  These fields are of type string with a limit of 20 characters.  To use this command, the user must first activate a point and a polyline/polygon layer.  The command will process selected features or all features.  The command also offers two types of footage (offset) computations, Cardinal or Perpendicular.  The user also has the ability to generate lines connecting the base point to the polyline/polygon edge.  The line features are stored in the current active layer.

 

11.       Addition of the [Enter Footage Calls] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command enables the user to enter footage calls (1500 FNL, 2000 FEL, etc.) and create point features with the option of creating line features connecting the point feature with the appropriate edge of a polyline/polygon feature.  To use this command, the user must first activate a polyline/polygon layer.  If no feature is selected within this layer, the command assumes a table is to be processed.  If a feature is selected, then the selected feature is processed.  Depending upon the selection state of the layer different dialog boxes will be posed to the user.  The point and line features, if any, that are created are stored in the current active layer.

 

12.       Modification to the Line 8 tool |PT SLOP| to allow the user the ability to edit the slope associated with an existing line feature.  To invoke this functionality the user after activating the tool should make a pick on an existing line feature away from the start or end point of the line.  Under this condition the tool assumes that the user wishes to edit an existing line feature and as such prompts the user for confirmation of the found feature.  Upon confirmation a multi-input dialog box is presented in which the user can: (a) specify the elevations of the start and end points, (b) specify the dX, dY and dZ components of the line or (c) enter the distance and slope of the line.  Using the specified information the tool recomputes the coordinates of the end point of the line.

 

13.       Modification to the Relocation 4 command |EXT/ELE/XING| for ArcGIS users.  The command now displays an additional check box control at the bottom of the Yes/No/Cancel query box, which is displayed after the user selects the features to be extended, that enables the user to indicate if both end points of the line feature(s) being processed are to be extended or retracted to their intersection with the base feature.  Depending upon the geometry of the features being processed this option may or may not be applicable.

 

14.       Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command has been modified to allow the user the ability to add a prefix or suffix to the attribute value(s) to be transferred, if so desired.  The text, <none>, denotes that the prefix or suffix is not to be added, any other text which is entered in the appropriate data fields will be used as either a prefix or suffix.  The multi-input dialog box posed by this command has been modified to accommodate the two new parameters.

 

15.       Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| for ArcGIS users when processing polyline and polygon features.  When editing these types of features the user is now able to depress the D or d key to delete the vertex which is closest to the current cursor position and the ESC key to terminate the edit operation.

 

16.       Addition of the [Vertices from Points] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command enables the user to create vertices on polyline and/or polygon features from selected point features which are within a user-specified proximity to the polyline or polygon feature.  In creating the vertices the user is able to use the coordinates of the selected point directly or the point's point of projection coordinates.  This command operates in a manner similar to the [Snap to Points] command with the exception of rather than moving vertices, this new command will insert vertices.

 

17.       Addition of the [Shared Vertices] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to force vertices within polyline and polygon features which are within a user-specified tolerance to be identical.  The command operates on the current active layer.  This command is very useful in ensuring that lines that meet together at a common point share the exact same vertex coordinates.  If the vertices are identical, no modification is made to the features.  Additionally, the user is able to introduce vertices if a vertex is missing from one of the two connecting features.

 

18.       Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Point & Auto-Search to Store Order has been added to the choice list displayed by this command.  This new option enables the user to define a string from which the sequential index value or the distance to the start of the feature within the string can be stored as an attribute value.  Additionally, the user has the ability to create a new polyline feature comprised of the vertices within the string.

 

19.       Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| for ArcGIS users when processing polyline and polygon features.  When editing these types of features the user is now able to draw a rectangle which will result in the vertices which are within said rectangle being deleted.  Previously, the user had to depress the D or d key to delete a vertex.  The user now, in addition to depressing the D or d key, can draw a rectangle to delete one or more vertices from the feature being processed.

 

20.       Modification to the [Update Geometry] command for ArcGIS users, which appears under the {CEDRA commands} combo-box within the CEDRA-AVcad-Menus toolbar  A new option called Specify Geometric Fields has been added to the Mode of Operation choice list that is presented by this command.  This new option provides the user the ability to specify the field(s) to be populated with certain geometric values.  Depending upon the feature type of the active layer, the user is presented with a multi-input dialog box containing drop-down lists for the various geometric properties that can be stored in the layer's attribute table.  The user is able to select a name from the drop-down list or enter a name.  If a name is entered the command will create the field for the user.  This option operates on the current active layer.

 

21.       Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [AVcad Properties] command to allow the user to specify the use of ArcGIS Classic snapping.  A new option has been added to the Snap points using parameter called ArcGIS Classic.  When this option is active the layer snapping settings will be used in performing point snapping.  Additionally, when a snap has been found a blue dot will be displayed indicating the location of the snap.  Note that snapping under this mode will occur only when the Editor is in session.

 

22.       Modification to the {Annotate} [Text or Attribute] command for ArcGIS users  This command will now process layers which have Joins assigned to them.  Previously, the joined attributes could not be processed by this command.  Now the user is able to create annotation for values assigned to joined attributes.

 

23.       Addition of the [Vertices to Points] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to create point features at the location of vertices comprising polyline or polygon features.  Additionally, the user is able to transfer attributes from the polyline/polygon layer being process to the point layer containing the newly created point features.  This command operates on the current active layer.  If no features are selected the command will process all features in the layer.  The user is prompted to specify which attributes, if any, are to be transferred to the point layer.  The points created by this command are stored in the current active layer.

 

24.       Modification to the Offset 1 command |PARL LN| for ArcGIS users when processing multi-part polygon features.  The command will now process the part whose vertex is closest to the coordinates of the pick that was made to select the feature.  Previously, the command would process the first part comprising the multi-part feature.  Now, based upon where the user makes the selection pick, the command will process the part with the vertex closest to this pick.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0l

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command has been modified to handle leader callouts created with ArcGIS Version 10.1.  The internal storage for leader callouts within ArcGIS changed at 10.1 which required a reworking of the logic that was used to export the leader callout.  Previously, an enclosing rectangle would appear around the text.  Now, the leader callout will appear.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will not export polygon graphics which have a fill color of NO COLOR and an outline color of NO COLOR.  Previously, this type of polygon graphic would be exported.  Now, this type of graphic is ignored.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command offers a new parameter to the dialog box which is displays.  The parameter Text Width Scale Factor enables the user to specify a specific text width scale factor when exporting graphic text or annotation features.  A value of Auto or 0 indicates that the user wishes to use a program computed value.  A value greater than zero denotes the specific value that should be used in the export process for all graphic text and annotation features.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now skip features which have been assigned the NO COLOR value.  Previously, the feature was exported.  Now, if the layer is not visible or if the feature has been assigned the NO COLOR value, which has the effect that the feature can not be seen, the command will ignore the feature during the exporting process.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The definition file, aclayers.txt, is now processed by the program.  This file is used to override the default setting of not exporting features in layers that have a color value of NO COLOR assigned to them.  By entering the name of the layer in the aclayers.txt file, the command will export the feature even though the color setting is NO COLOR.  See the aclayers.txt file for more information regarding how the file can be configured.

 

6.         Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command now supports 4 geometry keyword options call FEATURE_GEOMETRY, FEATURE_GEOMETRY_X, FEATURE_GEOMETRY_Y and FEATURE_GEOMETRY_Z.  These options will appear when a point and a polyline layer are being processed and enable the user to alter the geometry of the feature(s) to be modified.  Previously, the user was only able to alter the attribute values of a feature.  Using these new keyword options, the user is able to modifiy the geometry of a feature in addtion to its attribute values.  For example, the user to able to change the Z value of a line feature using a point feature's attribute value or it's Z value.  In this case, the polyline vertex that is modified is determined by the command as the vertex that is closest to the point feature being processed.

 

7.         Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command offers a new option under the Features to Process parameter called Only Selected Features.  When this option is selected, the command will only process the features that are selected prior to activating the command.  The result is that only the features which are selected prior to activating the command will be processed.

 

8.         Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users when using the Transfer Attribute File parameter.  It is now possible for the user to specify a hard-coded value that will be stored in a specific field.  Previously, the user was only able to transfer the attribute value from one field to another.  Now it is possible for the user to specify an explicit value that will be stored.  To do so, the hard-coded value must be enclosed in double-quotes.  For example, the data line "24"   DELTA will result in the value 24 being stored in the field DELTA.

 

9.         Modification to the [Lines Connected to Points] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  Two new options have been added to the Mode of Operation parameter called Highlight and Highlight and Report.

 

10.       Modification to the [Lines Connected to Points] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter called Number of Selected Features per Point has been added to the multi-input dialog box posed by the command.  This new parameter enables the user to control which points should be processed by specifying the desired number of lines that are within proximity to a point.  For example, the default value ALL results in the command processing all points that have at least one connecting line feature.  If the value 4 is specified for this parameter, only point features that have exactly 4 line features within proximity to the point will be processed.

 

11.       Modification to the Intersection 1 command |I 2L/NBL| when processing multi-part features.  The command will now process all parts in the feature.  Previously, only the first part in the multi-part feature was processed.  Now all parts in the multi-part are processed.  If a specific part is to be processed, the Break Feature tool can be used to extract the specific part to be processed prior to using the Intersection 1 tool.

 

12.       Addition of the |Assign Fixed Attributes| tool to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to assign specific attribute values to selected features without having to go through a dialog box interface.  This tool processes a Fixed Attributes Definition File which contains the name of the layer to be processed along with the attributes and attribute values to be assigned.  There is no limit to the number of layers that can appear in this file.  Additionally, it is possible to have multiple definitions for the same layer name.  In this case, the user will be prompted as to which definition is to be processed.  To use this tool, the user first activates the layer to be processed, selects the feature(s) to be processed and then selects the tool.

 

13.       Modification to the [Assign Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Assign Attribute command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Assign Attribute command will now upon activation query the user, if there are no selected features in the current active layer, if all features within the layer are to be processed..  A Yes/No message box will be presented.  Selection of the No button will abort the command, while selecting the Yes button indicates processing should continue.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0k

 

1.         Addition of the [Line Segments to Curve] command to the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command will parse a polyline or polygon feature looking for line segments within the feature that represent a circular curve.  If found, the line segments comprising the curve are replaced with a circular curve resulting in a smoother looking feature.  This command operates on the features in the active layer.  If the active layer contains selected features then only the selected features are processed.  This command will pose a multi-input dialog box from which the user can specify various curve smoothing parameters.  By specifying different values for these parameters the user is able to control the shape of the polyline or polygon.  Should the user wish to explicity enter data for each of the segments comprising the feature, the user is able to do so.

 

2.         Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  A new parameter has been added to the multi-input dialog box called Transfer Attribute File.  This parameter enables the user to specify the name of a text file that contains the field names to be processed.  When a Transfer Attribute File is specified the user does not enter the field names in the multi-input dialog box.  The field names are specified in the file.  Each data line in the file contains two entries separated by at least one blank character.  The first entry is the name of the attribute to be transferred while the second entry is the name of the attribute to contain the value being transferred.  Note that the Transfer Attribute File only contains the field names.  The layer names to be processed and other parmaeters are specified via the multi-input dialog box.

 

3.         Modification to the |Change Coordinates| tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  This tool when processing point features will now handle longitudes (X coordinates) and latitudes (Y coordinates) in string format.  Previously, longitudes and latitudes had to appear in decimal degree form, such as 46.32456.  Now, the command is able to process values such as 46°15'43.2345".  Note that values in this form, that is, degrees, minutes and seconds, may or may not contain the degrees, minutes and seconds symbols.  If these symbols are not included then at least one space or a single comma must delineate the individual values.  So that, longitude and latitude values can now appear as decimal degrees or as degrees, minutes and seconds, with or without the degrees, minutes and seconds symbols.

 

4.         Modification to the |Change Coordinates| tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  This tool when processing point features will now present a multi-input dialog box prompting the user for: (a) the field that contains the X coordinate (longitude) values, (b) the field that contains the Y coordinate (latitude) values and (c) the desired projection mode.  The user is able to: (a) apply no projection, (b) project the point into the Data Frame coordinate system or (c) project the point into the Point Layer's coordinate system.

 

5.         Modification to the |Change Coordinates| tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  To initialize the tool, the user can simply select any other tool on this toolbar.  In so doing the initial multi-input dialog box will be presented when processing point features.  Previously, once the tool was selected and the required information defined there was no way to redefine the required information.  Now, the user can click on any other tool on this toolbar to reinitialize the parameters used by this tool.  So that when this tool is reactivated the multi-input dialog box will be redisplayed.

 

6.         Modification to the [Split Polygons] command within the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  A new parameter called Transfer Common Fields from Split Layer has been added to the multi-input dialog box presented by the command.  When the Yes option for this parameter is selected, the command will copy the attribute values for those fields which are common between the split layer and the layer to be split.  The attribute values from the split feature are transferred to the feature being split.

 

7.         Modification to the [Collapse Polygon to Point] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command will now better handle multi-part geometries.  Previously, the command would only search for the optimal X coordinate value.  The command will now search for the optimal X and Y coordinate for multi-part geometries.  Additionally, for multi-part geometries, the point will now be placed in the part with the largest area value.

 

8.         Addition of the [Line Elevations from TIN] command in the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command will convert two-dimensional polyline features into three-dimensional polyline features.  To use this command, the user activates in the Table of Contents the two-dimensional polyline layer and TIN dataset to be processed.  A multi-input dialog box appears enabling the user to specify: (a) whether all features or just the selected set of features in the active line layer are to be processed, (b) the name of the 3D layer to contain the three-dimensional polyline features and (c) whether attrributes from the 2D line layer are to be transferred to the 3D line layer.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0j

 

1.         Modification to the Center Text tool in the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter called Process Text in Reverse Order has been added to the multi-input dialog box that is presented by the tool.  If the Yes option is selected for this parameter, the tool will reverse the order of the selected text.  For example, if there are text called A which appears above a text called B which appears above a text called C and the Yes option is selected for this new parameter, the text C will appear above B and A will appear at the bottom, below B.

 

2.         Modification to the Center Text tool in the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  If the user specifies a value of 0 for the Spacing between Features parameter when using the Center within Horizontal Line, Center within Vertical Line and Center within Inclined Line/Curve options, the tool will not position the text on the implied baseline but rather will maintain the text's X or Y coordinate, depending upon the selected option, and simply center the text within the implied baseline.

 

3.         Modification to the Center Text tool in the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users to improve the positioning of text when a curve is defined as the implied baseline.  Previously, undesired results were generated when processing multiple text when the implied baseline was a curve.

 

4.         Modification to the Point 1 command |DEFINE POINT| for ArcGIS users to create a 3D point when the current active layer exists in the Table of Contents and can handle geometries with Z values.  Previously, this was not done.

 

5.         Modification to the Edit Feature command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Edit Feature command will now update the Z value for a 3D point feature if the user specifies a Z value using one of the following attributes: ELEVATION, ELEV, ELV, Z or CONTOUR.  If one of the above mentioned attributes is processed, the value entered for the attribute will be assigned to the features Z value.  Previously, the geometry of the feature was not modified.  Now, for 3D point features the user is able to modify the Z value using this tool.

 

6.         Modification to the Edit Feature command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Edit Feature command will now update the Z value for a 3D polyline feature if the user specifies a Z value using one of the following attributes: SZ, Z1, EZ or Z2.  If one of the above mentioned attributes is processed, the value entered for the attribute will be assigned to the features Z value.  Previously, the geometry of the feature was not modified.  Now, for 3D polyline features the user is able to modify the Z value using this tool.

 

7.         Modification to the Edit Feature command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Edit Feature command will now update the Z value for a 3D polygon feature if the user specifies a Z value using one of the following attributes: Z1, Z2 or Z3.  If one of the above mentioned attributes is processed, the value entered for the attribute will be assigned to the features Z value.  Previously, the geometry of the feature was not modified.  Now, for 3D polyline features the user is able to modify the Z value using this tool.

 

8.         Addition of the Export Polygons with Hatches parameter to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new parameter enables the user to specify whether polygons are to be exported as hatches or as closed polylines with no hatch.  Previously, polygons were exported as hatches.

 

9.         Modification to the [Connect Points] command within the  CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter has been added to the multi-input dialog box called Feature to Create.  This new parameter enables the user to specify whether line or polygon features are to be created.  Previously, the command only created line features.  Now the user has the ability to specify whether line or polygon features are to be created.

 

10.       Modification to the |DataEditor06| and |DataEditor07| tools within the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter has been added to the dialog box, presented by these commands, called Apply Rule Definition File to the Base Feature.  The new parameter is a check box control.  When the parameter is checked, the command will apply the Rule Definition File settings to the broken portion of the base feature as well as the new feature that is created.  When the parameter is not checked, the Rule Definition File settings are applied only to the new feature that is created.  The broken portion of the base feature is assigned the same values of the base feature.  Previously, the Rule Definition File settings were applied to both the new feature that was created as well as the broken portion of the base feature.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now export labels for those visible layers that have their labels turned on.  Previously, the user had to convert the labels to annotation features or graphic text elements in order to export the labels.  Now, the command will export the labels by creating an annotation group layer containing graphic text elements representing the labels and then export the annotation group layer.  Once the export is complete, the annotation group layer, which was created, is deleted.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now trim the classification names for the classes in a layer to a maximum of 31 characters.  Previously, this was not done which resulted in the DXF file, which was created, not being able to be read by some programs.  Now the classification names are trimed to a maximum of 31 characters to ensure the DXF file can be imported in all DXF importers.

 

13.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The definition file, aclinetypes.txt, is now processed by the program.  This file contains a list of the available AutoCAD linetypes that can be mapped to an ArcMap layer or classification within a layer.  This file is an ASCII based file which contains a sequential list of the available linetype names as they would appear in AutoCAD.  This file is used by the [Line Symbol Mapping] command.

 

14.       Addition of the [Line Symbol Mapping] command to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Line Symbol Mapping] command operates in 3 possible modes.  The first is to Define Line Symbol Mapping, the second is to Export Line Symbol Mapping and the third is to Import Line Symbol Mapping.  The [Line Symbol Mapping] command enables the user to assign to a layer or a classification within a layer a specific AutoCAD linetype.  Since ArcMap line symbols are not exported, this command offers the user the ability to assign to a layer or a classification within a layer a specific AutoCAD linetype.  In so doing, when the DXF file is imported some line symbology will be assigned to the layer. Note that the AutoCAD command LTSCALE will need to be used to set the display of the linetype accordingly.  Additionally, the user will need to reload the linetype file containing the mapped linetypes.  This two steps will ensure that the linetype is properly drawn.  Note that if using Microstation, the user will need to save the drawing in .DGN format in order to display the linetypes.  When the [Line Symbol Mapping] command is activated, the user is first prompted for the desired mode of operation.  Once this is done, the user can follow the on screen instructions to perform the desired operation.

 

15.       Modification to the [Split Polygons Equal Area] command which is in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The special algorithm, Cross-Hatch, has been modified to produce the specified number of polygons.  The computations which determine the number of polygons to be generated have been modified, as has the method in which the subdividing was performed.  Additionally, if the user specifies the desired number of rows and columns (the last parameter in the multi-input dialog box) and the product of these values is different from what the command expects to generate, the command will query the user as to the desired number of rows and columns to generate.  In so doing, the user can compare what the command computes and what is desired and then enter the values that should be used.

 

16.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Map Tips tool has been changed to display the map tip within the screen when the map tip is too large.  Previously, the tool would position the top of the map tip above the top of the screen resulting in the map tip being truncated.  The tool now will force the top of the map tip to be at the top of the screen when the tool determines that the top of the map tip would be off screen.

 

17.       Addition of the [Collapse Polygon to Point] command to the combo-box on the {CEDRA-Polygon-Tools} toolbar.  This command will create a point feature at the center of a polygon with the ability to transfer one or many attributes from the polygon to the point.  In creating the point, the command ensures that the point falls within the polygon and not outside of it.  The point features which are created are stored in the current active layer.  The user selects the polygons to be processed and activates the layer in which these polygons reside prior to activating this command.

 

18.       Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command when comparing two polyline layers will use the midpoint of the line as the buffering point.  Previously, the command would use the entire polyline, which in a street network would result in multiple lines being found.  Now, the midpoint is used which results in much fewer matches being made.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0i

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new keyword has been added to the themes.txt file called FIXEDWIDTH which indicates on a vertical dialog box that all of the TextBox and ComboBox controls will share the same left coordinate and width values.  Previously, these controls would vary in left coordinate and width values depending upon the length of the user-specified label.  Now, if the FIXEDWIDTH keyword in present in the themes.txt file, these controls will be left and right justified.  This modification effects the DataEditor01 tool.

 

2.         Modification to the |DataEditor06| and |DataEditor07| tools within the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  These tools have been modified to allow the user to add a line or point feature, respectively, at either end point of an existing line feature without breaking the line.  The display of the red marker has also been modified to maintain its position at either end point of the existing line feature depending upon where the cursor is located.

 

3.         Addition of a ComboBox control to the |DataEditor08| tool's Associated Table Attribute Dialog Box, which previously only supported TextBox controls.  The same syntax is used in the themes.txt file for defining choice lists for this dialog box.  Thus, the user is now able to display both TextBox and ComboBox controls in the Associated Table Attribute Dialog Box.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new keyword has been added to the themes.txt file called CHOICES_WHEN which enables the user to define a choice list for a parameter based upon another attribute's value.  In so doing, the user can have various choice lists for a parameter based upon the values of another attribute.  The CHOICES_WHEN keyword appears within the CHOICES ...  END block and requires two arguments.  The first is the label assigned to the attribute for which the list is based upon and the second is the specific value.  For example, CHOICES_WHEN  Attribute_A   The_Value.  Note that it is the label that is specified and not the name of the attribute.  There is no limit to the number of CHOICES_WHEN keywords that can be specified within a CHOICES ...  END block.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now display a list box message box containing those layers which are visible and did not have any features exported.  Previously, no message box was displayed and as such the user was unware if there was a layer that was completely skipped.  Now, if a visible layer does not have any features exported, the user will be informed in the form of a list box message box.  The first item in the list box is <Create a Report File> which is an option that enables the user to create a report file.  Below this item are the layer names.  For a long list, the user may wish to select the first item in order to create a text file that contains the layer names.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now process the text file flparrow.txt which contains a list of Unicode Values for north arrows that should be rotated an additional 180 degrees when the north arrow has a rotation assigned to it.  The flparrow.txt file is located in the \cedra\avprjs folder and can be modified by the user as desired.  Previously, some north arrows would appear upside down (north pointing south, rather than north).  To eliminate this problem, the user can employ the flparrow.txt file to specify which north arrows are to be rotated an additional 180 degrees.  This only occurs when the north arrow has a rotation assigned to it such as is the case when the data frame to which the north arrow is linked to has a rotation applied to it.

 

7.         Modification to the |DataEditor08| tool's Associated Table Attribute Dialog Box to make the TextBox and ComboBox controls which overlay upon the FlexGrid control invisible when the user scrolls.  Previously this was not done which resulted in a distorted display of the dialog box.

 

8.         Modification to the |DataEditor01| tool when processing features that have associated tables, which is referred to as following the Database Design 2 model.  The Database Design 2 model supports two formats, Form 1 and Form 2.  The |DataEditor08| tool handles features which follow Form 2, while the |DataEditor01| tool handles Form 1.  Previously, the |DataEditor01| tool was processing features which followed the Form 2 format in addition to those that followed Form 1.  This is no longer the case.

 

9.         Modification to the |DataEditor01| tool when searching for the largest ID.  A new faster algorithm has been implemented which greatly speeds up the searching.

 

10.       Addition of the [Split Polygons Equal Area] command to the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to split polygons by specifying the number of parts or an area value.  If an area value is specifed, the command determines the number of parts by dividing the area of the polygon by the user-specified area value.  Additionally, the user is able to specify the initial clip angle in degrees, a tolerance value and the maximum number of iterations.  Since an exact solution is not possible, the polygons that are created by established by a convergence method.

 

11.       Addition of the [Extract Section-Town-Range] command within the CEDRA-Aliquot-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new command enables the user to extract from a string the section, town and range components.  This command operates on the current active layer.  The user specifies the field to be processed and the character ranges for each of the components.  The user is also able to specify which fields the components are to be stored in.  If a component is to be stored in a field that does not exist, the command will create the field for the user.  The Section (SECT), Township (TWP) and Range (RNG) fields will be of field type TEXT, with a length of 8, while the Township (TDIR) and Range (RDIR) Direction fields will be of field type TEXT and a length of 2.

 

12.       Modification to the [Aliquot Polygons from Table] command within the CEDRA-Aliquot-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter called Selected Section Grids has been added to the multi-input dialog box that is presented by the command.  This new parameter enables the user to specify how the selected set of section grids should be treated.  The options are Use the First Feature and Union the Features.  If the option Use the First Feature is selected, the command will use the first section grid in the selected set as the geometry to process.  If the Union the Features option is selected, the command will union the features in the selected set and use the resultant geometry in the processing.  This parameter is utilized when more than 1 section grid has the same Section-Township-Range values in a description.

 

13.       Modification to the Center Text tool in the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Two new options have been added to the Alignment Mode parameter drop-down list.  These new options are called Left Justify at Point 1 and Right Justify at Point 2 and they enable the user to left or right justify the selected features using Point 1 or Point 2 of the baseline, respectively.

 

14.       Modification to the Assign Attribute command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Assign Attribute command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Assign Attribute command will now prompt the user for confirmation of the attribute assignment.  A Yes/No/Cancel message box will be presented once the user click the OK button asking for confirmation of the attribute assignment.  This query has been added as a precautionary measure.

 

15.       Addition of the |Change Coordinates| tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  The |Change Coordinates| tool enables the user to alter the keynode coordinates of point and polyline features.  For point features, the user is able to edit the coordinates of a point within the attribute table window, for the layer in which the point feature resides, and have the shape of the point updated in the map.  For polyline features, a multi-input dialog box appears in which the user can either: (a) enter coordinates or (b) make picks for the start, end and center points represting a line or curve.  Additionally, the user is able to specify the radius and direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) of a curve.  In so doing, the user is able to: (a) change a line into a curve and vice-versa, (b) change the radius of a curve, (c) change the direction of a curve, (d) change the start and/or end point coordinates of a line or curve and (e) change the center point coordinates of a curve.

 

16.       Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when using the option called "Transcribe Deed with Table".  The Define Parcels 1 command is the first tool in the CEDRA-Deed-Tools toolbar.  The Parcel and Traverse Course Entry Form has been modified to scroll the data as the user moves the vertical scroll bar.  Previously, the data remained static as the vertical scroll bar was moved.  Now as the user moves the scroll bar, the appropriate rows are displayed during the scrolling.  Additionally, when the user depresses the Enter key, the data displayed in the rows and columns no longers scrolls.  Previously, when the Enter key was depressed the user could see the data scroll from the first row to the last row.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0h

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now process Dimension Features.  Previously, dimension features would be exported as polygons or closed polylines.  Now dimension features are decomposed into the individual line and text elements comprising the dimension feature.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Layer RGB Values] command will now process Dimension Features.  Previously, dimension features were skipped.  Now the command will display the colors assigned to the various components of a dimension feature.  That is, the dimension line, the extension lines, the markers and annotation.  All in all, the command will display 5 lines of information per dimension feature processed.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Layer RGB Values] command will now process point layers that have symbology assigned to them.  The command will now display the colors used by the various layers comprising a point symbol.  For example, the wheelchair symbol is comprised of two layers.  So that, the command will display the colors assigned to both of these layers.  Additionally, if a color can not be determined, the command will now display a statement to this effect.

 

4.         Modification to the Echo 2 tool to the CEDRA-Echo-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool will now display an option at the bottom of the feature selection confirmation query box which enables the user to select two points on the feature.  If this option is not checked, the command operates as before.  If the option is checked, following confirmation of the selected feature, the user is able to make two picks which will be projected upon the selected feature.  In so doing, the user is able to echo or display the distance of a segment on a feature, be it a line, polyline or polygon.  The command will display the plus and offset values of the two picks, the distance between the two picks, the total length of the feature and the distance between the second pick and the total length of the feature.

 

5.         Addition of the Default Text Font parameter to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new parameter enables the user to control which text font is assigned to text elements in the DXF file.  The options include Basic, Arial and Times.  This new parameter is used only when the Version 11 and 12 Compatible parameter is not active.  If the Version 11 and 12 Compatible parameter is active, the Basic text font will be assigned to the text elements in the DXF file.

 

6.         Addition of the |Edit Feature Tables| tool to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to edit user-specified attributes that are stored in tables which are associated with a selected feature.  There is no limit to the number of tables that can be associated with a feature.  A unique identifier is used to link the feature to the records in the table.  After selection of the feature to be processed and if there is more than one table associated with a feature, the user is asked to specify the table that is to be editted.  Once the table has been identified, a horizontal dialog box resembling a spread sheet is displayed containing the record(s) from the table that are associated with the feature.

 

7.         Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to transfer or assign up to 8 attribute values of one feature to another feature based upon a spatial relationship (features close to a point feature or features within a polygon feature).  A new parameter called Selected Features to Process has been added to the multi-input dialog box that is displayed.  Previously the command would process the feature that was closest to the base feature being processed.  Now the user is able to specify whether the closest selected feature is to be processed or all of the selected features.  For numeric fields this enables the user to sum the values of the selected features.  For non-numeric fields, the value of the last selected feature processed is assigned to the base feature.

 

8.         Modification to the Profile from TIN command in the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  A new parameter called Create has been added to the multi-input dialog box, which is displayed by the command.  This new parameter enables the user to create either a profile or a PolylineZ feature.  Previously, the command would only create a profile.  Now the command is able to create either a profile or a 3D line.  The feature is added to the layer that is specified in the third data field of the multi-input dialog box.

 

9.         Modification to the Point 4 command |PLUS/OF| to handle PolylineZ features as 3D lines and not as 2D.  That is to say, the plus value along a PolylineZ or PolylineZM feature will now take into account the slope of the line segments comprising the line.  Previously, these features were treated the same as a 2D or Polyline feature.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now process graphic text elements containing dynamic text.  Previously, dynamic text was processed just as it was entered.  Now the dynamic text tags are evaluated into their appropriate equivalents.  The dynamic text tags that are processed by the command are shown below.  Note that the user can specify custom formats for the DATE and TIME dynamic text tags.

                                                                                    <dyn type="document" property="name"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="document" property="path"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="document" property="title"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="document" property="author"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="date" format="short"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="date" format="long"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="time" format="HH:mm tt"/>

                                                                                    <dyn type="user"/>

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0g

 

1.         Addition of the Split Polygons command to the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to split the features in a user-specified polygon layer using features in another user-specified layer.  This layer can contain either polyline or polygon features.  Upon selection, a multi-input dialog box is displayed from which the user can specify the layers to be processed along with: (a) whether all polygons in the layer to be split are to be processed or only the selected features in the layer, (b) whether the polygon that is split is to be deleted or not after the split has been performed and (c) the maximum number of passes to be made.  In addition to splitting the features, the command will transfer the attribute values of the polygon that was split to the resultant polygons.

 

2.         Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when creating polygon features.  The Define Parcels 1 command is the first tool in the CEDRA-Deed-Tools toolbar.  The command will now create polygon features that have true curves for those courses which are circular curves.  Previously, the courses, which were curves, were discretized into a series of segments that represented the circular curve.  Now, the polygon is stored with true curves rather than a series of small line segments.  Note that this is only valid when the polygon is stored in a file or enterprise geodatabase.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new keyword called TRANSFER has been added.  The TRANSFER command enables the user to define as the value for an attribute, an equation that is evaluated using the attributes from another feature which satisfies a spatial search.  In using the TRANSFER command, the user specifies: (a) the layer that is to be spatially searched, (b) a spatial tolerance value in display units and (c) a transfer equation whose result is the value that is displayed in the multi-input dialog box.  The syntax of the transfer equation is identical to that used by the ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION keyword.

 

4.         Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when using the option called "Transcribe Deed with Table".  The Define Parcels 1 command is the first tool in the CEDRA-Deed-Tools toolbar.  The user is able to enter a special code to indicate that the complement of the curve is to be drawn.  By entering the code, c, after the radius value the command will interpret this as indicating that the supplement of the curve is to be drawn.  The code, c, must be the last character in the radius string.  For example, the strings 400.25c or 400.25 c would denote that the supplement of the curve is to be drawn.  This code is useful when the central angle of a curve is not known.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Create DXF File command will for a uniquely classified layer export the color of the feature.  Previously, the command exported the color of the first symbol in the classification.  The command will now export the color of the classification assigned to the feature.

 

6.         Addition of the Export Classes as Separate Layers parameter to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new parameter enables the user to control whether or not the program will export the classes in a layer's classification as separate layers.  If the layer has not been classified or if this parameter is unchecked, the name of the layer is used in the exporting processing.  When checked, a feature will be assigned the name of the class, which it resides in, within the classification as the feature's assigned layer in the DXF file.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will for LineCallout elements export only the leader line portion of the callout, provided the leader line can be determined.  Previously, the command would export the leader line portion along with a rectangle that enclosed the text which was associated with the LineCallout.  Now, the rectangle portion of the LineCallout is omitted, provided the leader portion can be determined.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Create DXF File] command will now export symbology that is expressed as a character in a True Type Font.  Previously, the command would only export an x symbol denoting the location of the symbol or a rectangle denoting the boundary of the symbol.  Now the command will export the symbology comprising the symbol as a series of hatches (polygons).  For example, north arrows will now be exported as hatches (polygons) rather than just an enclosing rectangle denoting the location of the north arrow.  The exception to this new modification is when the character which represents the symbol can not be found.  In this case an x symbol denoting the location of the symbol or a rectangle denoting the boundary of the symbol will be exported depending upon the type of element being processed.

 

9.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users when using the option called Export using same Coordinate System as the Data Frame from within Layout View.  When this option has been activated (checked), all of the data that is exported will be in the same coordinate system as the view (data frame).  When this option is not activated (not checked), the data exported will be in sheet coordinates.  Previously, the export was always done using sheet coordinates.  Now when the Export using same Coordinate System as the Data Frame option is active (checked) the coordinate system of the last Data Frame processed will be used.  Additionally, if the Data Frame has a rotation, the rotation will be used in the exporting so that in the DXF file, north will be point upward.  When the Export using same Coordinate System as the Data Frame option is not active, the contents of the DXF file will resemble that which is displayed in Layout View within ArcMap.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Export Line Widths for the Active Layers has been added to the dialog box which is presented by the [Create DXF File] command.  When this option is active (checked) the command will export the line width value for the line features that are processed.  In so doing, the user is able to differentiate between thick and skinny lines.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Version 11 and 12 Compatible has been added to the dialog box which is presented by the [Create DXF File] command.  When this option is active (checked) the command will create a DXF file that is compatible with AutoCAD Versions 11 and 12.  Note that Versions 11 and 12 do not support hatches so filled polygons will appear as closed polylines (there will be no fill).

 

12.       Modification to the Special Curve 5 tool within the CEDRA-SpecialCurve-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The Point Snapping parameter in the multi-input dialog box, which is displayed upon selection of the tool, has been modified to display 3 choices, Start/End Keynodes, All Keynodes and <none>.  These options offer the user more flexibility in controling which keynodes, if any, are to be point snapped.  Previously, the user was able to either snap all keynodes or none of the keynodes.  Now the user has the option of point snapping just the start and end keynodes with no point snapping applied to the interior keynodes.

 

13.       Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter has been added to the Yes/No/Cancel element selection confirmation dialog box called Use the Selected Feature as the String, which when checked denotes that the seed element represents the string to be processed.  If this parameter is checked and confirmation is given, the command will not search for any connecting elements and will treat the selected feature as the string to be processed.  As such, the multi-input dialog dialog box containing the parallel element parameters will be immediately displayed once confirmation has been specified.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0f

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to create different multi-column dialog box designs for different layers.  Previously, all layers that were displayed with a multi-column dialog box had the same multi-column dialog box design displayed for them.  Now, the user can have different multi-column dialog box designs for different layers.  There is no limit to the number of different multi-column dialog box designs that can be specified.  To specify different multi-column dialog box designs, the user following the specification of the DISPLAYWITHCOLUMNS command simply specifies new values for the appropriate multi-column dialog box commands (NCOLUMNS, COLUMNWIDTH, COLUMNITEMS, COLUMNHEADING, SUBCOLUMNS, SUBCOLUMNSTART and SUBCOLUMNHEADING).  The DISPLAYWITHCOLUMNS command is then used to identify the layer(s) that are to have this particular multi-column dialog box displayed.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to use the functions: LEFTPADxx and RIGHTPADxx when defining an attribute equation.  The function LEFTPADxx will return a string of xx characters with leading zeroes padding the string, while the RIGHTPADxx function will return a string of xx characters with trailing zeroes padding the string.  For example, LEFTPAD(OID) will return the string 000024 for an OID value of 24, while RIGHTPAD(OID) will return the string 240000 for the same OID.  The characters xx in the functions denotes the total number of characters that the string is to be comprised of.  Depending upon the function, zeroes will be inserted before or after the value to ensure that the specified number of characters comprise the string that is returned.

 

3.         Addition of the |Break and Add Line| tool to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to break a line or curve feature and create a new line feature whose starting point is the break point.  The operation of the tool is similar to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| with the exception that once the break point has been made, the user is able to pick points comprising the vertices of the line to be created.  In addition to creating a new line feature, the tool will also transfer attribute data from the feature being broken to the new line feature based upon the Rule Definition File.  Furthermore, a modeless dialog box is displayed after the user confirms the selection of the feature to be broken.  This dialog box enables the user to specify the layer that the new line feature is to be added to, as well as, reset the command to its state following feature confirmation.

 

4.         Addition of the |Break and Add Point| tool to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to break a line or curve feature and create a new point feature whose coordinates are that of the break point.  The operation of the tool is similar to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| with the exception that once the break point has been made, a new point feature is created.  In addition to creating a new point feature, the tool will also transfer attribute data from the feature being broken to the new point feature based upon the Rule Definition File.  Furthermore, a modeless dialog box is displayed after the user confirms the selection of the feature to be broken.  This dialog box enables the user to specify the layer that the new point feature is to be added to, as well as, reset the command to its state following feature confirmation.

 

5.         Modification to the Change Selected Features button for ArcGIS users.  This button can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  The Change Selected Features button now provides a spatial match option in addition to the attribute match options previously offered.  Depending upon the feature type being processed the name of the spatial match option will vary.  For Point features, the spatial match option will appear as <Centroid>, for Line features it appears as <Centroid and Length>, while for Polygon features it will be <Centroid and Area>.  When using the spatial match option, the button determines the centroid of the feature being processed and using a user specified proximity tolerance value, determines which features in the new shape layer (specified by the user) are close to the computed centroid.  The button then determines which of these found features is closest to the feature being processed in terms of proximity to the centroid and geometry.  For Line features geometry refers to length, while for Polygon features it refers to area.  Once the appropriate feature has been found, the shape of the feature being processed is altered.

 

6.         Modification to the Change Selected Features button for ArcGIS users.  This button can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  The Change Selected Features button has been modified to display a single multi-input dialog box rather than individual dialog boxes for selecting the common attribute and specifying whether or not common attributes are to be updated.  Additionally, a new parameter called Proximity Tolerance - ft (m): will appear in the multi-input dialog box.  The value for this parameter is used only when the spatial match option is selected.

 

7.         Modification to the Union and Buffer command within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Upon activation, the command will now prompt the user for the type of unioning to be performed.  The choices include a Simple Union and an Advanced Union.  Previously, the Advanced Union method was only offered.  Now, the user has the option of selecting the Simple Union method.  This new unioning method displays a single multi-input dialog box from which the user specifies the various unioning parameters.

 

8.         Addition of the [Project Points on Lines] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This new command enables the user to project one or more selected point features on line features, which may appear in one or more active layers.  The result of the projection can be a point which appears at the point of projection, as well as a line which connects the selected point to the point of projection.  Additionally, it is possible for the user to transfer to the selected point features an attribute value from a point feature that is within close proximity to the selected point.  To use this command, the user selects or activates in the Table of Contents the point and line layers to be processed.

 

9.         Modification to the Union and Buffer command within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The command will now process point features under the Simple Mode of Operation.  Previously, the simple mode of operation would not handle point features.  Now, this mode of operation will create a multi-part point feature when processing point features.  If the current active layer is not a multi-part point featureclass, the command will create a multi-part point shapefile using the mp suffix to denote that the shapefile is defined to handle multi-part point features.

 

10.       Modification to the Point 4 command |PLUS/OF| to display a new parameter called Use Pick Point as Start Point (Y=yes, N=no): which enables the user to specify the point that was used to select the feature as the base point for the calculations.  Previously, the tool would use one of the end points of the feature as the start point for its calculations.  Now, the user is able to specify the pick point as the start point.  Selecting the No option for this new parameter results in the tool operating as before.  Selecting the Yes option results in the tool using the pick that was used to select the feature as the start point.  Note that the tool will use the current point snapping setting for the pick used to select the feature.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0e

 

1.         Addition of the CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools-3 toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar is comprised of two tools which control the operation of the CEDRA Mini Tool Palette.  The Mini Tool Palette is a dialog box comprised of six tabs that enable the user to: (a) create a point by coordinates, (b) create a point by specifying an angle or distance from a base point, (c) create a line by specifying two points, (d) create a circular arc by specifying the PC, PT and radius of the arc, (e) create a polygon by specifying vertices on the polygon and (f) inverse a line or circular arc.

 

2.         Modification to the Echo 4 |ECHO AREA| tool to provide the user the ability to define a closed figure by picking individual points in the map area.  A new option called Picking Individual Points has been added to the choice list message box that is displayed by the command.  Under this option the tool creates an implied polygon feature using the picks made by the user.  To terminate the polygon definition the user picks the last point in the polygon twice or picks the start point of the polygon.  Additionally, the user is able to select the A key to introduce a radius, the D key to delete a keynode, the I key to insert a keynode, or the M key to move a keynode.

 

3.         Modification to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The command will now export annotation features as well as graphic text elements that utilize the <SUB> or <SUP> keycodes.  These keycodes are used to denote subscript and superscript text positioning.  When exporting this type of ArcGIS text, the translator creates two text strings, one for the base text and another for the subscript/superscript text.

 

4.         Modification to the Intersection 4a command |TRIM w/ FILLET| for ArcGIS users.  The command will now prompt the user, once a solution has been computed, for confirmation of the solution.  Previously, the command would terminate once the solution was computed.  Now, the command displays a Yes/No/Cancel message box after the solution has been computed and displayed.  Selecting the Yes button terminates the command leaving the solution as displayed.  Selecting the No button returns the display to the state prior to the display of the solution, after which the command's multi-input message box is redisplayed.  Selection of the Cancel button returns the display to the state prior to the display of the solution, after which, the command terminates.  Selecting the No button enables the user to try various input settings without having to reactivate the command multiple times.

 

5.         Modification to the Spiral with Direction, Length and Angle tool within the CEDRA-Spiral-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The tool will now display a blue arrow denoting the back tangent direction.  Previously, there was no blue arrow, only the direction was displayed in the multi-input dialog box.  Now, in addition to the display of the direction in the multi-input dialog box, a blue arrow will appear to better illustrate the back tangent direction.

 

6.         Modification to the procedure that handles the entry of angles, be they central angles, deflections and the like.  It is now possible to specify an angle in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds without entering a space to delineate the three values.  If one of the components is less than 10 degrees, the user must insert a leading zero.  Previously, an angle in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds would be specified as 40 30 20.  Now it is possible to enter the same angle as the following: 403020.  When entering an angle in the form of a single word, it is assumed to be decimal degrees if the number of digits before the decimal point is less than or equal to 4 characters, otherwise it is assumed that the angle is in terms of degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds with no spaces separating the values.  For example, an angle in the form of decimal degrees, such as 150.50 would be equivalent to 150 degrees, 30 minutes, 0 seconds.  Additionally, a value of -1300809.4 would be equivalent to -130 degrees, 8 minutes and 9.4 seconds.

 

7.         Modification to the Spiral with Direction, Length and Angle tool within the CEDRA-Spiral-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Once a solution has been computed and the appropriate features created and displayed, the tool will now query the user if the desired solution has been computed.  A response of Yes terminates the tool, while a response of No results in the features recently created being deleted and the multi-input dialog box redisplayed with the last entered values.  Previously, the tool terminated once the features were displayed.  Now the user has the ability to delete the features from within the tool after which another solution can be tried without having to use the {Edit} [Undo] command and then reactivating the tool.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0d

 

1.         Modification to the Center Text tool in the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to specify a curve radius and direction thereby enabling the user to center an annotation feature along an implied circular curve.  The tool, now, displays in the multi-input dialog box two new parameters called Curve Radius and Curve Direction which provide the user the ability to enter a radius value and curve direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise).  The value for the Spacing between Features parameter is used to offset the annotation feature from the implied circular curve.

 

2.         Modification to the |Find and Zoom| tool in the {CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools-2} toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool has been modified to process all active layers.  Previously, the tool would process only 1 active layer.  Now, the user is to able to select features from all of the active layers based upon an attribute query.  There is no limit to the number of active layers that can be processed.

 

3.         Modification to the |Find and Zoom| tool in the {CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools-2} toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new parameter called Custom Query has been added to the multi-input dialog box that is presented by this tool.  Using this new parameter the user is able to build compound query statements using the syntax employed by the ArcMap [Select By Attributes] command.  When this parameter is filled in (that is, a non-blank) it supercedes the Query String parameter.  That is to say, the string entered for the Custom Query parameter is processed first, provided it is a non-blank string.

 

4.         Modification to the Line 8 tool |PT SLOP| to allow the user the option of selecting a baseline in which the newly created line will be trimmed to.  To do so, the user should first select the baseline feature (this must be a line feature), after which, the tool is selected.  At this point the tool operates as before.  Once the line has been established the tool trims the newly created line to the intersection with the baseline feature.  Since the line is trimmed to the intersection with the baseline, the distance which is prompted for in the multi-input dialog box is used only to set the initial direction of the line.  The actual length of the line is based upon the location of the intersection.

 

5.         Modification to the Line 8 tool |PT SLOP| to allow the user the option of deleting the last line that was created.  Once a line has been created a new parameter will appear at the bottom of the multi-input dialog box called Delete Feature Just Created (Y=yes, N=no).  Selecting the Yes option in response to this parameter will result in the last line that was created being deleted.  In so doing, should the user enter incorrect data, the user is able to delete the line and repeat the data entry process.

 

6.         Modification to the [Import Points] command to allow the user to specify whether the point numbers found in the file being processed are purely numeric or alphanumeric.  A new parameter called Alphanumeric Point Numbers (Y=yes, N=no): has been added to the multi-input dialog box, which is posed by the command.  Selecting the Yes option denotes that the point numbers are alphanumeric (BL-4, X-45 and so forth), while the No option indicates that the point numbers are purely numeric (1, 2, 3, etc.).  If the point numbers are alphanumeric, the point number will be stored in the PNTstr field, while if the point numbers are numeric they will be stored in the PNT field.  Additionally, if the point numbers are alphanumeric, the value zero will be stored in the PNT field, while if the point numbers are numeric a single blank character will be stored in the PNTstr field.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to create multi-column dialog boxes with or without sub-columns within a column.  Previously, the user could only create a series of single column dialog boxes.  Now, the user is able to create a multi-column dialog box with a maximum of 50 attributes in the dialog box.  To create a multi-column dialog box, the user should employ the multi-column commands.  Note, the user is able to define single and multi-column dialog boxes in a single Theme Attribute Data File (themes.txt).

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  If the user makes a pick that results in only one feature being found, the Edit Features Attribute Tool will bypass the traditional feature confirmation message box and immediately display the dialog box containing the attributes which can be edited.  However, if two or more features can be found, the tool operates as before.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0c

 

1.         Modification to the Spiral with Direction, Length and Angle tool within the CEDRA-Spiral-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Five new parameters have been added to the multi-input dialog box posed by the tool to enable the user to create a subsequent tangent line or curve feature and point features at the start and end points of the features that are created.  Previously, the tool created only a spiral.  Now, the user is able to create a spiral, as before, but in addition to the spiral, the user can create a line or curve that is tangent to the spiral.  The tangent line or curve will appear at the end point of the spiral.  Additionally, the user has the option of creating point features at the start and end points of the spiral and the subsequent tangent feature.  When a tangent line is to be created, the user has the ability to specify the length of the tangent line.  When a tangent curve is to be created, the user has the ability to specify the radius and arc length of the tangent curve.

 

2.         Modification to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The command will now process grouped graphic elements.  Previously, grouped graphic elements were ignored.  Now the command will decompose the grouped graphic elements and export each of the graphic elements.  The original grouped graphic element is left in tact, that is to say, the grouped graphic element is still grouped.  The ungrouping of the grouped graphic element is done internally (no modification of the original grouped graphic element is performed).

 

3.         Addition of the Use Data Frame's Rotation Value when Exporting parameter to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new parameter enables the user to control whether or not the data frame's rotation value is applied to the feature prior to the feature being exported.  Previously, when the data frame had a rotation value assigned to it, the program would rotate the feature in accord with the data frame's rotation value and then export the rotated version of the feature.  In so doing, the feature reflects the rotation of the data frame.  Now, with the addtion of this new parameter, the user is able to control whether or not this rotation is applied.  This is particularly useful when the user wishes to create a DXF file that does not reflect the rotation value of the data frame, but rather the unrotated version.

 

4.         Modification to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The command will now limit the number of characters that can appear in a layer name or block name to 31.  Previously, there was no limit, but to ensure maximum compatibility the 31 character limit is enforced.

 

5.         Modification to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The command will now process Group Elements that are nested up to 4 levels.  Previously, the command would only process a Group Element that consisted of one level.  Now if a Group Element contains a Group Element that contains another Group Element that in turn contains another Group Element all 4 Group Elements will be processed.

 

6.         Modification to the [Create DXF File] command within the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  The command when performing an export from Layout View will create a World File (.wld) if only one data frame is being exported.  That is to say, if the Layout View contains a single data frame that is being exported, the command will create a World File (using the root name of the DXF file being created with the .wld extension).  The World File contains georeferencing information in the form of two lines.  These lines contain four items on each line.  The first line contains the NW corner of the data frame in terms of its sheet and world coordinates for the NW corner.  Likewise, the second line contains the sheet and world coordinates for the SE corner of the data frame.

 

7.         Addition of the [Lines Connected to Points] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to find the line features that are connected to point features and assign a value to a specific attribute of the point provided the lines share a common attribute value.  For example, if a manhole is connected to two pipes that both have an attribute called AFIELD and whose values are ABND, the user is able to transfer ABND to a specific attribute within the manhole.  In using this command, the user must select or activate the point and line layers prior to activating the command.  Only visible and selected point and line layers are processed.  A multi-input dialog box is presented from which the user specifies the: (a) the features to be processed, (b) the mode of operation, (c) the Point ID field, (d) the Point Attribute field to be modified, (e) the Point Attribute field value, (f) the Line ID field, (g) the Line Attribute field to be checked and (h) the Line Attribute field common value (in the example above, the user would specify ABND for this parameter).  In addition to the parameters specified above, the user can enter a proximity tolerance value and a report filename.  The proximity tolerance value is used to determine the lines that are closest to a point, while the report filename will contain the results of the processing.  Within the report, the user will find a list of the points that were processed along with: (a) the number of lines that were found to be close to the point, (b) the line layer and ID of the lines that were determined to be close to the point and (c) the value, if any, that was stored with the point.

 

8.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Import Points] command, for ArcGIS users.  A new file format called Polygon/String COGO File has been added to the list of available file formats.  This new format enables a user to define multiple parcels and/or traverses in a single ASCII based file.  The result of importing this file format will be the creation of point, line, curve and polygon features, depending upon which commands are placed in the file.  The December 2009 issue of Command of the Month discusses this file format in detail.

 

9.         Addition of the [Points from Annotation] and the [Point from Annotation] commands within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  These new commands can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  These new commands enable the user to create a point feature from selected annotation features.  The text that is associated with the annotation features is then stored as an attribute with the point feature.  For example, if there are two annotation features whose text was ROOM and A-202, these new commands would create a point feature whose PTDESC attribute value would be ROOM A-202.  Note that the user can control the delineating string between the text, for example, rather ROOM A-202, the attribute value could be ROOM - A-202, if desired.

 

10.       Addition of the [Delete Vertices] tool to the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users, to handle the deleting of a group of vertices from a selected polyline or polygon feature.  After selecting this tool, the user makes a pick in the map area identifying the polyline or polygon feature to be processed.  Confirmation of the selected feature is asked for.  After confirmation, the tool highlights the vertices which comprise the polyline or polygon feature.  The user is then able to define a rectangle that encloses the vertices to be deleted.  Once the rectangle is defined, the tool determines which vertices fall within the rectangle and removes them from the selected feature.  The tool remains active thereby enabling the user to delete another group of vertices from the same selected feature.  To deactive the tool, the user selects another tool.

 

11.       Addition of the Offset 0b command |PARL 2LN| to the CEDRA-Offset-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users, to handle the creation of a polyline between two existing polyline features.  This is the last tool in the toolbar and enables the user to select two polyline features, after which, the user is able to specify: (a) a number of segments or a segment length, (b) a percent offset from the first polyline feature selected and (c) a mode of computation.  Depending upon the selected mode of computation, the polyline feature that is created will vary.  This tool creates imaginary points along the selected polyline features and depending upon the mode of computation create a polyline that is offset from the first selected polyline by interpolating between the imaginary points.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension, for ArcGIS users, when there is only 1 active layer in the Table of Contents, the tool will now display drop-down lists for the number of rows and columns parameters.  In so doing, the user is now able to: (a) explicitly enter a value for the number of rows or columns, (b) select a field name indicating that the number of rows or columns is to be extracted from the feature being processed.  If there is more than 1 active layer in the Table of Contents, the tool operates as before.  When there is only 1 active layer, the user now has a choice as to specifying where the number of rows or columns is to be extracted, that is, either explicitly or extracted from a field.

 

13.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to use the Up and Down arrow keys to traverse through the various parameters displayed in the multi-input dialog box.  Previously, the user had to use the Tab key to advance to the next parameter within the dialog box.  Now the user is able to move up and down through the parameters using the Up and Down arrow keys.

 

14.       Modification to the dialog boxes, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to use the Up and Down arrow keys to traverse through the various parameters displayed in a multi-input dialog box.  Previously, the user had to use the Tab key to advance to the next parameter within a dialog box.  Now the user is able to move up and down through the parameters using the Up and Down arrow keys.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0b

 

1.         Modification to the Point 7 command |POINT TICKS| to provide the user the ability to break the selected feature(s), rather than create point features.  Under this mode, the selected feature(s) are broken at the locations where the point features would have appeared.  A new data line has been added to the dialog box that is displayed by this command.  The new data line is as follows:

 

            Break-up the Feature (Y=yes, N=no):

 

            The default response is no.  A response of Y or y will result in the command breaking a feature at the location where a point feature would have been created.  Note that if a feature is to be broken, the command will not create point features.  That is to say, the user can either break a feature or create point features, not both at the same time.  If point features are to be created in addition to breaking the feature, the user will need to execute this command twice, creating point features during the first invocation of the command followed by breaking the feature(s) during the second invocation.

 

2.         Update and inclusion of the CEDRA-AVcad User's Manual in the distribution directory.  In the \cedra\help folder a file called AVcad.pdf will appear containing the latest version of the documentation for the software.  Previously, the User's Manual was not included in the distribution directory.

 

3.         Inclusion of the CEDRA-AVcogo User's Manual in the distribution directory.  In the \cedra\help folder a file called AVcogo.pdf will appear containing the latest version of the documentation for the software.  Previously, the User's Manual was not included in the distribution directory.

 

4.         Modification to the Intersection 15, 16, 17 and 18 commands within the CEDRA-Intersection3-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users, to allow the user to select the point feature to be kept.  Previously, these commands would simply create point features at the resultant intersections.  Now, these commands allow the user to pick one of the two new points.  Once a point has been confirmed, the other point that was created is deleted.  Afterwards, the user can select another feature to be intersected with the base feature or another command, if so desired.  Should the user wish to keep both point features, the user simply selects any other command or another feature to be intersected with the base feature.  That is, if both features are to be kept, the user should not pick one of the new points.

 

5.         Modification to the Intersection 15, 16, 17 and 18 commands within the CEDRA-Intersection3-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users, to allow the user to define the base curve by picking a point feature and entering a radius value.  Previously, a curve had to be selected.  Now, the user is able to select a point feature and enter a radius.  This information will then be treated as a circle from which the lines will be intersected with.

 

6.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Change Text Properties] command, for ArcGIS users.  Three new parameters have been added tothe multi-input message box posed by this command.  These parameters include: (a) Include Curve Prefix Label (Y=yes, N=no), (b) Minimum Segment Length for Annotation and (c) For Curves, Distance Annotation is the.  The Include Curve Prefix Label (Y=yes, N=no) parameter allows the user the flexibility to either include or exclude the R= or L= prefixes when annotating a curve's radius and/or arc length.  The Minimum Segment Length for Annotation parameter enables the user to specify a minimum distance or length where an annotation should be generated.  For example, if the user specifies 50 for this parameter, any line or curve whose distance or arc length is less than 50 will not be annotated.  The For Curves, Distance Annotation is the parameter provides the user the ability to control whether the radius or arc length should be annotated when creating annotation for a curve when using the [Annotate Distance], [ Annotate Azimuth] and [Annotate Bearing] command.  Previously, the [Annotate Distance] command would annotate the radius, while the other two would annotate the arc length.

 

7.         Addition of the Annotate Polyline Length tool to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user selects the polyline or polygon feature to be processed.  If a polyline which does not form a closed figure is selected, the annotation of the polyline's length is generated and stored in the current active layer.  The appropriate text parameters as specified with the [Change Text Properties] command are used when generating the annotation.  If a polyline which forms a closed figure or if a polygon is selected, the user is prompted to make three picks which represent the start point, point on, and end point of the string that is to be annotated.  That is to say, the user is able to annotate the length of a portion of the polyline or polygon.  When making the picks, the tool determines which vertex of the feature is closest to the pick that is made.  Once the three picks have been made a red polyline will be displayed indicating the string whose length will be annotated along with a dialog box where the user can control where the annotation should appear along the string.  The dialog box displayed in this situation is identical to the one posed by the Curved Text tool.  Once the Cancel button is selected, the annotation is created and stored in the current active layer.  Note, if the second and third picks are identical (that is, they point at the same vertex), the tool will assume that a two-point line segment is to be annotated rather than a string.

 

8.         Modification to the Curve 7 command |CR/2PT/R| for ArcGIS users when the radius value is to be explicitly specified.  A new parameter has been added to the multi-input dialog that is presented by this tool.  This new parameter allows the user to specify an offset value.  The offset value is added to the radius value, which is entered in the first data line field, to determine a new radius value.  If a non-zero offset value is specified, the new radius value is used in generating the curve.  Note, in this case the end points of the curve will not match the picked point, since the curve is to be offset from the base points which are picked.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 8.0a

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension, for ArcGIS users, to process polygon features that have more than 4 points.  Previously, the command would only process polygons that contained 4 corner points.  Now the command will process polygons containing more than 4 points.  In this case, the command divides the polygons using vertical and horizontal split lines to create the appropriate number of rows and columns.  Note that the user can process polygons that contain only 4 points and those which contain more than 4 points in a single operation.  These polygons do not have to be processed separately, but rather, can be processed together.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension, for ArcGIS users, a new parameter has been added to the multi-input dialog box that is presented by the command.  The new parameter is called Horizontal/Vertical Subdivision and enables the user to specify whether the split lines that are used to create the appropriate number of rows and columns are purely horizontal and vertical or if they are to reflect the inclination of the polygon sides.  This parameter only pertains to polygons that contain 4 points.  Polygons that contain more than 4 points always are split using purely horizontal and vertical lines.  Selecting the Y option to this parameter forces the command to use horizontal and vertical split lines, while selecting the N option forces the split lines to adhere to the inclination of the polygon sides.

 

3.         Modification to all tools which prompt the user for a distance or a length.  It is now possible for the user to specify one of the following arithimetic operators, +, - , *, /, ^ when specifying a distance value to indicate that the distance value is to be determined by evaluating an expression.  For example, the user can now enter an expression such as 100 * 2.0 to denote that the distance value is 200.  Additionally, it is possible for the user to use one or more of the operators in an expression, for example, 100 * 2.0 / 4.0 would be a valid expression.  When multiple operators are used they are evaluated in a left to right order.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-MailingLabels-Menus toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The Mailing Labels File command has been modified to store the values of the mailing label parameters in a configuration file called Config_x, where x denotes the name of the Mailing List File.  For example, if the name of the Mailing List File is A.txt, the parameter values will be stored in a file called Config_A.txt.  In so doing, the user is able to save the settings for a specific report format.  The first 18 lines in the configuration file correspond to the 18 parameters displayed in the multi-input dialog box, the next 80 lines in the file pertain to the row height and number of lines down for each row.  As such, the file contains data for 40 rows, two values per row translates into 80 lines (40 times 2).  Note that the user is able to use any text editor to modify the row height and number of lines down values for each row.

 

5.         Addition of the Read Configuration File command to the CEDRA-MailingLabels-Menus toolbar for ArcGIS users.  The Read Configuration File command enables the user to import a configuration file that contains the mailing label parameters settings.  After using this command, when the Mailing Labels File command is invoked the default values which are displayed in the multi-input dialog box will be those that were read from the configuration file.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension, for ArcGIS users, a new parameter has been added to the multi-input dialog box that is presented by the command.  The new parameter is called Copy Attributes into Polygons and enables the user to specify whether or not the attributes of the feature(s) being subdivided are to be transferred to the new polygon features which are created.  Previously, no attribute values of the feature(s) being subdivided were transferred to the new polygon features.  Now, the user has the option of either transferring or not transferring the feature's attribute values.  Selecting the Yes option in response to this new parameter forces the command to transfer the attribute values of the feature being subdivided to the new polygon features.  If an attribute in the feature being subdivided does not exist in the layer in which the new polygon features are stored in, the command will add the attribute to the layer.

 

7.         Addition of the CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools-2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar is comprised of four tools which enable the user to: (a) Find Features from Active Layer, (b) Find Features Within a Distance, (c) Create Hyperlink and (d) Delete Hyperlink.  The Find Features from Active Layer command enables the user to perform an attribute query on the active layer.  In addition, the user is able to zoom to the extent of the selected features once the query has been performed.  The Find Features Within a Distance tool enables the user to perform a proximity search for one or more selected features.  The user initially selects the base feature(s) and then selects the layers that are to be searched.  Upon activation of the tool the user specifies a proximity value.  The tool creates buffer polygons about the base feature(s) and then determines which features in the active layers intersect the buffer polygons.  The Create Hyperlink tool enables the user to assign a hyperlink to one or more selected features.  When using this tool, any hyperlinks that are assigned to the selected features will be deleted and replaced by the hyperlink specified by the user.  The Delete Hyperlink tool enables the user to remove all hyperlinks that are assigned to the selected features.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9z

 

1.         Modification to the Tangent Curve 4 command |T-ARC/R/CDL|, for ArcGIS users, to ask the user for confirmation of the solution.  Once the non-tangent curve has been displayed, a Yes/No query will be displayed asking the user to confirm the solution.  If the Yes button is selected, the command terminates and another non-tangent curve may be generated.  If the No button is selected, the non-tangent curve which was displayed will be deleted and the multi-input dialog previously displayed will reappear with the previous parameter values appearing as the defaults.  The user is then able to modify any of the values in order to create another non-tangent curve.  This modification saves the user the effort of having to select the {Edit} [Undo Create Curve] command and then reselecting this command when an undesired solution is computed.

 

2.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| in the presentation of the multi-input dialog box.  The parameters, Direction Mode (E=explicit, A=angle, R=relative) and Pick two point baseline (Y=yes, N=no), have been changed from data line items to choice list items.

 

3.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| in the presentation of the multi-input dialog box.  The parameters, Direction Mode (E=explicit, A=angle, R=relative) and Pick two point baseline (Y=yes, N=no), have been changed from data line items to choice list items.

 

4.         Modification to the ReadPublic and SavePublic subroutines when reading and writing the global parameter setting file (c:\public.txt).  Previously, this file was always stored in the root level of the C: drive.  Now, these subroutines will process the file from the: (1) c:, (2) c:\cedra\avprjs, (3) $CEDRA, (4) $HOME, (5) $TEMP or (6) $TMP folders depending upon which one exists and the user has permission to read and write to.  Note that the $ character in front of the name denotes an environment variable and as such will point to a user-specified location.

 

5.         Addition of the CL tool to the CEDRA-Deed-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool will clean the parcels in the current active view.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-Transform-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Seven additional tools have been added to the toolbar.  These tools correspond to the Pick Baseline Point 1, Pick Baseline Point 2, Pick Baseline Point 3, Pick New Baseline Point 1, Pick New Baseline Point 2, Pick New Baseline Point 3 and Transform Features options within the Transformation tool.  These tools perform the same function as their counterpart options in the Transformation Tool choice list.  The only difference is that the user can select a tool in the toolbar rather than select an option from a choice list.  This modification saves three clicks thereby quickening the process of performing a transformation.  Note that prior to selecting the Transform Features tool, the user must have previously selected the features to be processed, if not, an appropriate warning message will be displayed.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-Transform-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new tool has been added to the toolbar.  This new tool corresponds to the Move Selected Features (no rotation)option within the Transformation tool.  This tool performs the same function as its counterpart option within the Transformation Tool choice list.  The only difference is that the user can select the tool in the toolbar rather than select the option from a choice list.  This modification saves three clicks thereby quickening the process of performing a transformation.  Note that the features to be processed must be selected prior to selecting this tool, if not, an appropriate warning message will be displayed.

 

8.         Addition of the CEDRA-MailingLabels-Menus toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar is comprised of one choice list combo box containing two commands, Mailing Labels File and Export Attributes.  The Mailing Labels File command enables the user to create a formatted ASCII text file that can be used to print mailing labels (addresses).  The Export Attributes command creates a comma delineated ASCII text file containing user-specified attributes for a layer or table.  Using this command, the user has the ability to specify which attributes are to be exported and the order in which they are to appear in the text file.

 

9.         Modification to the Define Parcels 1 command |DEFINE PARCEL|, for ArcGIS users when using any of the available options.  When the user defines a parcel that is not closed or an open traverse, the command will now display the options Create Line/Curve Features and Create Line/Curve/Point Features in the choice list message box, which is displayed when the command tries to determine what should be done with the non-closed figure.  Previously, the option Generate Line/Curve Features was displayed.  In essence, what has been done here, is that a name change has been made to an existing option and a new option has been added.  The new option, Create Line/Curve/Point Features, is identical to Create Line/Curve Features with the exception that point features will be created in addition to the line and curve features.

 

10.       Modification to the Offset 1 command |PARL LN| and Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| to allow the user to specify whether or not overlapping segment checking is to be performed.  A new option called Overlapping Segments Check has been added to the multi-input dialog box which is posed by these commands.  Selecting the Yes option in response to this parameter forces the commands to perform overlapping segment checking, while selecting the No option forces the commands to skip this type of checking.

 

11.       Addition of the Tangent Curve 7 command |T-ARC/L/P|, for ArcGIS users, which enables the user to create an arc tangent to a line or curve with a known end point.  Upon activation of the command, the user is prompted to select the line or curve which the resultant arc is to be tangent to.  Once confirmation of this feature has been given, the user is asked to select the end point of the tangent arc.  Following the selection of the end point, the command creates a tangent arc, using the end point of the selected line or curve feature as the tangent arc's PC and the "picked" end point as the tangent arc's PT, storing the feature in the current active layer.  This new command appears in both the Tool Palette and the CEDRA-TangentCurve-Tools toolbar.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension, for ArcGIS users, to process one or more features from the active layers.  The command now operates in one of two modes.  The first is when the user selects the features to be processed prior to activating this tool, while the second is when the user wishes to select the features after activating the tool.  In the first mode, the user can use any appropriate method to select the polyline and/or polygon features to be processed.  The user then activates the tool, at which point, the command functions as before, beginning with confirmation of the selected features.  In the second mode, the user must select in the Table of Contents the layer or layers that contain the features to be selected.  If there are no active layers, an error message will be displayed.  The user now can either: (a) make a single click or (b) drag a rectangle to select the desired polyline and/or polygon features from the active layers.  Previously, the command would only process one feature at a time, which was selected by the user based upon a single click.  Now, the command is able to process multiple features, which are selected by the user: (a) prior to activating the tool or (b) by clicking or dragging a rectangle, from the active themes in the Table of Contents.  Note that confirmation of the selected features is still required under both modes of operation.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9y

 

1.         Addition of the [Spr2DirOff] tool to the CEDRA-Spiral-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to create a spiral by specifying a back tangent direction, forward tangent direction, spiral offset, back spiral length, curve radius and forward spiral length.  Upon activation, the user makes a pick that denotes the start of the spiral.  If the user makes a pick towards the end point a line, the end point of the line will act as the spiral start point and the direction of the line will serve as the default back tangent direction.  A multi-input dialog box will then appear in which the user can specifiy the six parameters mentioned above.  In addition, another parameter will appear at the bottom of the dialog box in which the user can specify if point features are to be created at the spiral keynode locations (TS, SC, CS and ST).  Once the parameters have been specified, the user can select the OK button to begin the creation of the three spiral features (back spiral, circular arc and forward spiral).

 

2.         Addition of the [2CVWBD] tool to the CEDRA-Line2-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to create a line that intersects two circular curves given a direction and distance.  Upon activation the user selects the first curve to be processed, after which, the second curve should be selected.  If the user selects a point feature, the tool treats the point as the center of an implied curve and prompts the user for a radius value.  Once both curves have been identified, the tool display a multi-input dialog box from which the user specifies the direction and distance of the line that is to intersect both curves.  In addition to this information, the user is able to specify a convergence tolerance value and whether points, lines or point and line features are to be created.  Since there is no explicit solution to this geometric problem, the tool performs an interative process searching for a solution that falls within the specified convergence tolerance.  Based upon the geometry of the curves and direction and distance values, more than one solution may exist.  As such, once a solution is found, the tool displays red point markers at the intersection points and queries the user as to if this is the desired solution.  If not, the markers are removed and the iterative process is resumed for the next solution, if any.  If no solution can be found, a message stating that the maximum number of trials has been exceeded will be displayed.

 

3.         Addition of the [SprLenAng] tool to the CEDRA-Spiral-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to create a spiral by specifying a back tangent direction, overall spiral length, length of spiral to be created, spiral angle, spiral offset and whether the spiral is to the left or right of the back tangent direction.  Upon activation, the user makes a pick that denotes the start of the spiral.  If the user makes a pick towards the end point a line, the end point of the line will act as the spiral start point and the direction of the line will serve as the default back tangent direction.  A multi-input dialog box will then appear in which the user can specifiy the six parameters mentioned above

 

4.         Addition of the [Shapefiles from Layer] command to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, for ArcGIS users.  This new command enables the user to create individual shapefiles from an active layer using the value of an attribute within the layer.  To use this command, the user first activates the layer to be processed.  A multi-input dialog box is then displayed, from which, the user is able to specify: (a) the field containing the name for the shapefiles to be created, (b) the entity types to be processed, (c) the destination folder where the new shapefiles are to be stored and (d) whether the new shapefiles are to be added to the document or not.  Essentially this command finds all of the unique values for the specified field and uses these values as the names of the shapefiles to be created.  Values that are NULL or blank are disregarded.  If the user selects the Basic Types option for the Entity Type to Process parameter, the command will only export features whose ENTITY value is ARC, CIRCLE, LINE and POLYLINE.  Note that this occurs only if the ENTITY field is present in the layer.

 

5.         Modification to the [Aliquot Polygon] command within the CEDRA-Aliquot-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new option has been added to the Section Area or Strip parameter called <Multi-Part Definition> which enables the user to create a multi-part polygon with a single aliquot description.  A delineator character is used to separate individual aliquot descriptions.  The individual descriptions are then unioned to form a single feature.  The default delineator character is the comma, although the user is able to specify another character if so desired.  If the TAB character is desired, then the user should enter TAB in the data field to the right of the Multi-Part Delineator Character label.

 

6.         Addition of the [Aliquot Polygons from Table] command within the CEDRA-Aliquot-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new command enables the user to create polygons based upon an Aliquot description that is stored in an attribute or field within a dBase table.  Similar to the [Aliquot Polygon] command, in that it processes the exact same Aliquot description syntax, this new command provides the user the ability to mass create polygons based upon an Aliquot description.  In using this command the user must load a dBase table (.dbf) into the data frame and activate or select a layer which may be of polyline or polygon type.  This active layer represents the sections or grids for which the Aliquot descriptions pertain to.  The dBase table must contain three fields representing the Township, Range and Section values for the section or grid to be subdivided.  The active layer must also contain these same three fields.  The command processes the selected records in the dBase table, if there are none, then all records are processed.  As a record is read from the table, the command will query the active layer for a match on the Township, Range and Section values that were read from the table record.  If there is one match then it is this section or grid that is subdivided, if  there are no matches or more than one match, then the table record is ignored and the next record in the table is processed.  Additionally, the user has the option to transfer attributes or fields from the dBase table to the current active layer which will contain the polygons that are created.  The user can employ the [Set Active Layer] command to define the current active layer.

 

7.         Modification to the [Transfer Attribute] command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The [Transfer Attribute] command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to transfer or assign the attribute value of one feature to another feature based upon a spatial relationship (features close to a point feature or features within a polygon feature).  The command has been modified to transfer up to five attributes, rather than just one.  Previously, the user could specify just a single attribute to be transferred, now the user can identify up to five attributes.  The multi-input dialog box has been expanded to include Attributes 1 through 5.  If one of these attributes is not to be used, then the <none> option for the attribute should be selected.  The default option for Attributes 2 through 5 is <none>.  So that, if more than one attribute is to be transferred the user can simply change the default for Attribute 2, 3, 4 or 5.

 

8.         Addition of the [Set Active Layer] tool to the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users, to handle the setting of the current active layer.  This new tool appears on the far right of the toolbar and upon activation displays a list of the layers in the Table of Contents, from which, the user can select one to indicate the current active layer.  Similar to the [Set Active Layer] command, within the {CEDRA-AVcad-Menus} toolbar, when using the Picking Existing Layer option, this new tool provides a fast means of defining the current active layer.  In addition, when the user moves the cursor over the tool in the toolbar, the tool will display the name of the current active layer in the status bar area.  Note that when a layer is selected, which does not conform to the CEDRA Layer Naming convention, the tool will place the Editor in edit mode and make the current active layer the Target Layer.  Additionally, the current Task will be set to Create New Feature.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9x

 

1.         Modification to the Line 11 and 12 tools |PLUS/OF|, for ArcGIS users, to allow the user the ability to create lines which are normal to the baseline, in addition to being inclined.  A new data line item has been added to the multi-input dialog box which is posed by the tools.  This new data line item contains a choice list that contains the options Inclined and Normal.  Selecting the Inclined option forces the tools to operate as previously.  Selecting the Normal option results in a line being created which is normal to the baseline.  Note that the start point of the normal line will be on the baseline, while the end point will be at the specified plus and offset values.

 

2.         Addition of the Dimension 5 command |SAV MAB| for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to generate a metes and bounds type of dimension based upon two picks made by the user.  If a curve is to be annotated, the user can either: (a) explicitly enter the radius of the curve, or (b) make a pick denoting a point on the curve.  The user can generate a distance, azimuth, bearing, distance and azimuth or distance and bearing type of annotation.  This tool augments the {Annotate} [Distance], [Azimuth], [Bearing], [Distance and Azimuth] and [Distance and Bearing] commands by offering the ability to operate on two picks, rather than selected features.

 

3.         Addition of the Center Text tool to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user: (a) selects the annotation feature(s) to be processed, (b) activates the tool, (c) makes two picks denoting the baseline and (d) specifies the type of centering to be performed.  The user can center annotation features using any of the following options:  Center within Horizontal Box, Center within Vertical Box, Center about Horizontal Line, Center about Vertical Line or Center about Inclined Line.  When centering about a line, the user is able to specify a spacing value, if desired.  The spacing value denotes the distance between the selected annotation features.  A value of zero denotes leave the annotation feature spaced as is and only center the annotation features about the baseline.  When centering annotation features within a box, the spacing value is computed by the command.  This tool augments the text alignment options offered by native ArcMap functionality.

 

4.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command to provide the user the ability to specify a field mapping file.  The field mapping file is an ASCII based file that contains three arguments on a data line.  The first argument is the name of a field in the layer which contains the features to be copied.  The second argument is the name of the field in the layer which will contain the copied features.  This field name does not need to be the same as the field name specified in the first argument.  The third argument is optional and contains an attribute equation which is to be evaluated and whose value will be stored for the copied feature.  The syntax of the attribute equation is the same as used by the CEDRA-DataEditor software.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to specify either the name of the attribute (field) or the alias name for an attribute in the Theme Attribute Data File.  Previously, the software would only accept the true name of the attribute.  Now the user is able to specify either the attribute's true name or its alias name, provided one has been specified.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The user is now able to use the functions: LEN, TRIMR1, TRIMR2, TRIMR3, TRIMR4, TRIMR5, TRIMR6, TRIML1, TRIML2, TRIML3, TRIML4, TRIML5 and TRIML6 when defining an attribute equation.  The function LEN will return the number of characters in a string.  The TRIMR1 function will remove the last character in a string, TRIMR2 will remove the last two characters, TRIMR3 will remove the last three characters in a string, TRIMR4 removes the last four characters, TRIMR5 the last five characters and TRIMR6 the last six characters.  Likewise, TRIML1 will remove the first character in a string, TRIML2 will remove the first two characters, TRIML3 will remove the first three characters in a string, TRIML4, TRIML5 and TRIML6 the first four, five and six characters, respectively.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  Those users who wish to display a value that is different from what is stored in the database can use the \\ characters when entering a value under the CHOICES command.  For example, review the following:

                                                CHOICES

                                                CAP-BNK\\CAPACITY-BANK

                                                FUS-CUT\\FUSED-CUTOUT

                                                LIN-FUS\\LINE-FUSE

                                                END

            The above is an example where the \\ characters are used to separate the actual value, which is stored in the database, from the value that should appear in the choice list.  In this example, CAPACITY-BANK, FUSED-CUTOUT and LINE-FUSE would appear in the choice list, while the values, CAP-BNK, FUS-CUT and LIN-FUS, would be stored in the database.  As such, the user first specifies the value to be stored in the database, followed by the \\ characters, followed in turn by the value to appear in the choice list.  In so doing, a more friendly name can be presented to the user, while a desired coded value is stored in the database.  Note, if a blank value is to be stored in the database and the user wishes to display something other than a blank character in the choice list, the user should enter a blank character, followed by the \\ characters and then the string to appear in the choice list.

 

8.         Modification to the Echo 1 tool to the CEDRA-Echo-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool will now display the elevations and slope that are associated with the two picks.  Previously, only the coordinates, direction and length were displayed.  Now the same information is displayed, but in addition, the user can display the elevation and slope values.

 

9.         Modification to the Perform a Topological Operation tool within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This command will now process polyline features, in addition to polygon features.  Previously, only polygon features were processed by this command.  When processing polyline features, the user is able to use the Combine, Difference, Intersection and Union operators.  The Shared Edge and Shared Edge with Base Feature options are not available for polylines.

 

10.       Addition of the Points at Line EPts command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Points at Line EPts command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to find the point feature closest to each end point of a line feature and transfer to the line feature two point attributes (such as node number and node type).  In using this command, the user must select or activate the point and line layers prior to activating the command.  Only visible and selected point and line layers are processed.  The command processes selected line features, if  no features are selected in the active line layer then all line features in the layer will be processed.  A multi-input dialog box is presented from which the user specifies the two attributes in the point layer that are to be transferred to the line layer.  The labels for these two attributes are Point ID and Point Type.  A drop-down list appears containing all of the point attributes in the active point layer.  The user simply selects the one attribute that should be used for the Point ID and Point Type.  If no attribute is to be used for the Point Type parameter, the user should select the <none> option.  Note that the Point ID attribute must be specified, the Point Type attribute is optional.  In addition to the two point attributes, the user will specify four line attributes, two for the start point of the line and two for the end point of the line.  These attributes will contain the Point ID and Point Type values of the point that is closest to the start and end points of the line.  In addition to the six attributes specified above, the user can enter a proximity tolerance value and a report filename.  The proximity tolerance value is used to determine which point is closest to the start or end point of the line, while the report filename will contain the results of the processing.  Within the report, any line features which did not have a node feature close to an end point will be identified by their object ID (FID, OID, OBJECTID) value.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Map Tips tool has been changed to deactivate itself when the user depresses the left mouse button.  Previously, the tool could only be deactivated by activating another tool.  Now, when the user clicks the left mouse button the tool deactivates and the default ArcMap tool becomes active.  In so doing, the user can now display map tips as desired and when finished, simply click the left mouse button to terminate the displaying of map tips.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9w

 

1.         Addition of the CEDRA-Spiral-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This toolbar contains seven tools for creating and manipulating spiral curves.  The tools enable the user to: (a) create an alignment with a curve and spirals by picking two lines and entering the back spiral length, circular curve radius and forward spiral length, (b) create a spiral tangent to a line and a curve, (c) create a spiral offset to another spiral, (d) project a point upon a spiral, (e) create a line tangent to a spiral, (f) create a point or radial line along a spiral with a plus and offset and (g) intersect a spiral with a line or curve.

 

2.         Modification to the Union and Buffer command within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This command when processing point features now offers the user the ability to create rectangular buffer polygons, in addition to the circular and square types previously supported.  When creating rectangular buffer polygons, the user can control the width, height and angle of inclination of the rectangular polygon.  Note that the user can also control the angle of inclination for square buffer polygons.  The multi-input dialog box posed by this command, when processing point features, has been modified to enable the user to: (a) specify the distance between buffer rings, (b) specify whether the first ring is to be included or not, (c) specify whether the first ring is to be centered about the point feature or not, (d) the height of the rectangular buffer polygon and (e) the angle of inclination of the square or rectangular buffer polygon.

 

3.         Modification to the Intersection 2 command |I CV/LIN| and Intersection 3 command |I 2CV|, for ArcGIS users, to allow the user to select the point feature to be kept.  Previously, these commands would simply create point features at the resultant intersections.  Now, these commands allow the user to pick one of the two new points.  Once a point has been confirmed, the other point that was created is deleted.  Afterwards, the user can select another feature to be intersected with the base feature or another command, if so desired.  Should the user wish to keep both point features, the user simply selects any other command or another feature to be intersected with the base feature.  That is, if both features are to be kept, the user should not pick one of the new points.

 

4.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| for ArcGIS users.  A new option called Picking Individual Points has been added to the choice list displayed by this command.  This new option enables the user to make various picks in the map area to define a string which is comprised of two-point line segments.  The string definition is terminated by selecting the last point in the string a second time (an open string) or by picking the start point of the string a second time (a closed string).  Using this option, the user does not need to have existing line or curve features.

 

5.         Modification to the Special Curve 5 tool within the CEDRA-SpecialCurve-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool now displays a new parameter in the multi-input dialog box, which is displayed upon selection of the tool, that enables the user to specify whether point snapping is to be used or not during the creation and/or modification of the keynodes.  Previously, the user had to use the [AVcogo Properties] command to set the point snapping property.  Now the user can set the point snapping property that is desired during the operation of the tool upon selection of the tool.  Note, that the setting of the point snapping property is reset to its value prior to activating this tool.

 

6.         Modification to the Special Curve 5 tool within the CEDRA-SpecialCurve-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool will now query the user as to which feature is to be processed if a pick is made that can select more than one polyline feature.  Previously, if more that one feature could be selected from the user's pick, the tool would assume that a keynode was being defined and not that a feature was to be modified.  Now, the tool queries the user as to which feature is to be processed.  If the user selects the Cancel button, the tool assumes that a keynode is to be defined and that no feature is to be modified.

 

7.         Modification to the Intersection 1 command |I 2L/NBL| and the Intersection 2 command |I CV/LIN| when selecting a line feature.  If the user selects a point feature rather than a line feature, the command assumes that the user wishes to define a two-point line rather than select an existing line feature.  In this case, the selected point feature acts as the start point of the two-point line and the user is prompted to select the end point of the two-point line.  Previously, these commands would disregard the selection of a point feature and the user was prompted to select a line feature.  Now the user has the ability to perform an intersection with these commands using either an existing line feature or a two-point line which is defined by two picks.  Note, if the user selects the No button in response to confirmation of a selected feature, for all features within proximity of the pick, the commands will assume that the user wishes to define a two-point line rather than select an existing line feature.

 

8.         Addition of the CEDRA-Aliquot-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This toolbar contains one combo-box with four commands tailored for processing Aliquot descriptions.  The last command, [Aliquot Polygon] is the most generic and enables the user to create a polygon feature by subdividing one or more selected polyline or polygon features by specifying typical Aliquot quadrant identifiers such as NE, SE, SW, NW, N2, S2, E2N2 and so forth.  The August 2007 issue of Command of the Month describes the operation of this command in detail.

 

9.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Export Generate] command, for ArcGIS users in exporting polyline and polygon features.  Two new choice items called Traverse File Format and Traverse File Format - Multiple Files have been added to the list of available file types.  These new options enables the user to export polyline and polygon features using the Traverse File Format structure.  The October 2007 issue of Command of the Month should be consulted for detail information regarding the use of the [Export Generate] command as well as the structure of the Traverse File Format.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, for ArcGIS users.  A new tool has been added to the toolbar called Map Tips.  This tool displays the attribute values for those attributes which have been defined in the Theme Attribute Data File (themes.txt) as a Map Tip for a specific feature.  Once the tool has been activated, the user simply positions the cursor on top of the feature to be processed.  If the command finds a feature, which belongs to a theme which appears in the Theme Attribute Data File, the command will display as a Map Tip the attribute values currently assigned to the feature.  The values which are displayed are those which belong to the attributes identified in the Theme Attribute Data File.  In addition to the attribute values, the attribute labels (as defined in the Theme Attribute Data File) will precede the attribute value.  For example, the Map Tip window could contain a line such as Parcel: 101 or Diameter: 12.  This new tool provides a quick and easy method of displaying attributes values without having to select a feature with the Edit Feature Attributes tool.  The order of the attribute value listing is identical to the order of the attribute specification in the Theme Attribute Data File.

 

11.       Addition of the Dimension 5 command |SAV MAB| for ArcGIS users.  This new tool enables the user to generate a metes and bounds type of dimension based upon two picks made by the user.  If a curve is to be annotated, the user can either: (a) explicitly enter the radius of the curve, or (b) make a pick denoting a point on the curve.  The user can generate a distance, azimuth, bearing, distance and azimuth or distance and bearing type of annotation.  This tool augments the {Annotate} [Distance], [Azimuth], [Bearing], [Distance and Azimuth] and [Distance and Bearing] commands by offering the ability to operate on two picks, rather than selected features.

 

12.       Addition of the Center Text tool to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user: (a) selects the annotation feature(s) to be processed, (b) activates the tool, (c) makes two picks denoting the baseline and (d) specifies the type of centering to be performed.  The user can center annotation features using any of the following options:  Center within Horizontal Box, Center within Vertical Box, Center about Horizontal Line, Center about Vertical Line or Center about Inclined Line.  When centering about a line, the user is able to specify a spacing value, if desired.  The spacing value denotes the distance between the selected annotation features.  A value of zero denotes leave the annotation feature spaced as is and only center the annotation features about the baseline.  When centering annotation features within a box, the spacing value is computed by the command.  This tool augments the text alignment options offered by native ArcMap functionality.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9v

 

1.         Modification to the GetShape subroutine, for ArcGIS users to process features which are defined using the ArcMap Arc Tool.  This modification effects a number of commands.  Previously, features which were created using the ArcMap Arc Tool were treated as lines and not circular arcs.  This no longer is the case as these features will now be treated as circular arcs.

 

2.         Modification to the Assign Attribute command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Assign Attribute command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Assign Attribute command can now transfer the values from one field to another.  To do so, the user specifies in the first data line item, within the multi-input dialog box that is displayed, the field or attribute to be modified (the one which will receive the new values).  In the second data line item, the user specifies the name of the field (attribute) to be copied into the field specified in the first data line item, enclosing the name of the field within the square brackets [ ].  For example, if the user entered [AREA] in the second data line item, the command would copy the value from the attribute AREA into whatever field was specified in the first data line item.  Note, when specifying date values, the user does not need to enclose the date in double-quote characters (").  For example, the date 12/08/2006 would be a valid date entry.

 

3.         Modification to the Edit Feature command within the CEDRA-EditFeature-Tools toolbar, for ArcGIS users.  The Edit Feature command will now display as the name of the label either the: (a) true attribute (field) name or (b) the alias of the attribute, if one has been assigned to the attribute.  Previously, the command would only display the true attribute name and would not display the alias of the field.

 

4.         Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  Rather than displaying two dialog boxes, the Sequential IDs command has been modified to display only one.  Previously, a second dialog box, was displayed prompting the user to select the attribute to be processed.  Now, a new parameter, Attribute to be Populated, has been added to the initial multi-input dialog which enables the user to specify the attribute for processing.

 

5.         Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Sequential IDs command has been modified to be able to compute the high value for a specified attribute (field).  This effects the first data line parameter, Enter Starting ID Number, which appears in the multi-input dialog box.  The user is now able to either: (a) enter the starting value explicitly, or (b) select from a choice list the option, Attribute High plus Increment, to denote that the starting value is to be computed by taking the highest value in the attribute to be processed and adding the ID increment value to it.  The ID increment value is specified in the second data line parameter.

 

6.         Modification to the Change Feature's Shape tool for ArcGIS users.  This tool can be found in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools-2 toolbar.  The Change Feature's Shape tool will now allow the user to change the shape of a part within a multi-part feature.  Previously, the user could change the entire shape of a multi-part feature but not just a single part within the feature.  Now, the user can alter the shape of a specific part within a multi-part feature.  To do so, the user when selecting the multi-part feature for processing should make a pick close to any vertex on the part to be modified.  That is to say, when selecting the base feature to be modified, make your pick on the boundary of the part to be modified.  If a part within the multi-part feature is found, a new option will appear in the choice list message box, which is presented by the command, of the form "Change Shape of Part xx only", where xx denotes the part number.  Note that part numbers begin at zero and increase sequentially by one.  Selecting this option will result in the geometry of the selected part being altered to match that of the second feature that is selected.  All other parts within the multi-part feature will remain unaltered.

 

7.         Modification to the CheckEndPoint procedure for ArcGIS users.  This procedure performs the point snapping for every tool in the software.  The procedure has been modified to operate on an array of coordinates rather than a list of coordinates.  This results in the procedure performing its task much faster than previously.  This becomes very noticable when dealing with features which are comprised of many vertices.

 

8.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| for ArcGIS users when handling multi-part features.  The command has been modified to operate on an array of coordinates rather than a list of coordinates.  This results in the procedure performing its task much faster than previously.  This becomes very noticable when dealing with features which are comprised of many vertices.

 

9.         Addition of the Transfer Attribute command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Transfer Attribute command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  This command enables the user to transfer or assign the attribute value of one feature to another feature based upon a spatial relationship (features close to a point feature or features within a polygon feature).  To use this command, the user activates two layers in the Table of Contents.  One of the layers will contain the features to be modified, while the other contains the features whose attribute is to be transferred to the other.  Upon activation of the command a multi-input dialog box will be presented, from which, the user specifies: (a) the layer containing the features to be modified, (b) whether all features in this layer are to be modified or only the selected features, (c) the layer containing the attribute to be transferred, (d) the attribute in this layer to be transferred, (e) the attribute that this attribute is to be stored in, (f) the proximity tolerance, (g) whether the command is to transfer the attribute value only, highlight the corresponding feature only or transfer and highlight and (h) whether the layer name and OID of the corresponding feature are to be transferred as well.  An example of the application of this new command is when there are two layers, a point layer and a polygon layer.  The polygon layer contains an attribute called ZIP4 and it desired to transfer the ZIP4 value of a polygon feature to a point feature which falls within a specific polygon.  This command can be used to accomplish this task.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now take into account the rotation angle that has been applied to a data frame.  Previously, the data frame's rotation angle property was ignored.  Now, the features which are to be exported in the data frame will be rotated to properly reflect the data frame's rotation angle.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now take into account the various horizontal and vertical alignment properties for multi-line graphic text elements.  Previously, only the horizontal property was taken into consideration when exporting graphic text elements.  Now, the vertical alignment, as well as, the X and Y offset values are accounted for.

 

12.       Modification to the Intersection 1 command |I 2L/NBL| when intersecting a two-point line with a polyline or polygon feature.  The command will now, internally, extend the two-point line so that it intersects or crosses the polyline or polygon feature.  Previously, if the two-point line did not cross the polyline or polygon feature, an intersection would not be computed.  This no longer is the case.  So that, in the case where a two-point line does not cross a polyline or polygon feature, the command will extend the two-point line so that it does cross the polyline or polygon feature.  Note, that the two-point line is not altered by the command, it remains as is.

 

13.       Modification to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users to the Set Graphic Text Angle (2 Pts), Set Graphic Text Angle (Pick Line) and Set Graphic Text Angle (Explicit) tools.  These tools when processing an annotation feature, which follows the path of a polyline (curved text), will remove the polyline path definition and force the annotation to follow the angle of inclination as defined by the user.  This modification enables users to convert a curved text to a non-curved text without having to use native ArcMap functionality.

 

14.       Modification to the Duplicate Features command within the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.6) for ArcGIS users.  The command has been modified to provide  the user the ability to control the basis of how a duplicate feature match is made.  The user can specify that a duplicate feature is to be based upon: (a) a match in geometry only or (b) upon geometry and attribute values.  Previously, the command would consider two features to be identical if the two features shared the same geometry.  Now, the user has the additional option of indicating that the attribute values between the two features must be identical in addition to the feature's geometries.  A choice list data field has been added to the bottom of the multi-input dialog box that is presented by this command.  Using this choice list, the user can specify the basis for determining a match between features.  Attributes which are not considered in determining a feature match include: OID, FID, OBJECTID, DISSOLVE_SHAPE, SHAPE_AREA, SHAPE_LENGTH, SHAPE.AREA, SHAPE.LENGTH and ELEMENT.

 

15.       Addition of the Special Curve 5 tool to the CEDRA-SpecialCurve-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to create a spline curve through a variable number of keynodes using one of four curve generation methods.  The available methods include: Circular Arcs, Natural Spline, Clamped Spline and Lagrangian Interpolation.  When using the Circular Arcs method, the user is able to specify a rounding factor which results in a larger radius curve being established.  There is no limit as to how large this value can be.  Typical values can be 500, 1000 and so forth.  Upon activation, the user is asked to specify the method of curve generation and rounding factor (if need be), after which, the user picks the keynodes which are to comprise the curve.  The curve keynode definition process is terminated by selecting the last keynode a second time.  At this point, the user can: (a) select a keynode, dragging the keynode with the left mouse button depressed to dynamically alter the shape of the curve, (b) select the I key to insert a keynode, (c) select the X key to delete a keynode or (d) depress the ESC key to terminate the creation of the spline curve.  When inserting a keynode, the new keynode is inserted immediately after the keynode that is closest to the cursor location.  To delete a keynode, the user positions the cursor over the keynode to be deleted and depresses the X key.  If the user makes a pick that results in the command selecting a polyline feature, the user is able to reshape the selected feature using the specified curve generation method.  If a polyline is selected, the user is asked to specify the number of keynodes that are to comprise the polyline.  The process for manipulating the selected feature is the same as that for creating a new spline curve.  New spline curves are stored in the current active layer.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9u

 

1.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Point Data] command, for ArcGIS users to allow the user the ability to control the order of the listing of the coordinates.  Previously, the X coordinate would always appear on top of the Y coordinate.  Likewise, the Easting would always be on top of the Northing.  Now, a new data line parameter has been added at the bottom of the multi-input dialog box containing a choice list with two options.  By selecting the appropriate option the user can control if the X coordinate is to appear above the Y coordinate, or if the Y coordinate is to appear above the X coordinate.

 

2.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Import Points] command, for ArcGIS users when using any of the formats that employ the Code parameter.  Under these types of file formats, the user is now able to create separate layers, if so desired, for each of the unique Code values which appear in the input file.  The value of the Code parameter serves as the name of the layer.  A new data line item has been added to the dialog box posed by this command.  The user simply selects Y or N to indicate if separate layers are to be created.  If separate layers are to be created a Personal GeoDatabase (PGD) will be created using the root name of the input file as the name of the PGD.  Within the PGD the command will create separate datasets for each of the unique Code values.

 

3.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Import Points] command, for ArcGIS users when using any of the formats that employ the Code parameter.  Under these types of file formats, the user is now able to create lines connecting common Code values in the order in which they appear in the input file.  Codes which appear in the PTCODE.LIS file, located in the \cedra\fontswin folder, are disregarded, these codes are treated as point symbols and as such are not used to create lines.  The lines which are created will be stored in a layer whose name will match the name of the data source for which the points are stored in.  Note that if this layer does not exist or if it does but is not of Line type, the ln extension will be appended to the name.  For example, if the points are stored in a shapefile or a PGD whose root name is i_demo2 or i_demo2pn and the layer i_demo2 does not exist, the lines will be stored in a layer called i_demo2ln.  In addition, if the i_demo2ln layer does not exist in the Table of Contents, a PGD will be created called i_demo2.mdb and a line feature dataset called i_demo2ln will be created within the PGD.  A new data line item has been added to the dialog box posed by this command.  The user simply selects Y or N to indicate if common point codes are to be connected so as to create line features.

 

4.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Update Classifications] command for ArcGIS users when using the Update Active CEDRA Classifications, Update All CEDRA Classifications or Update Visible CEDRA Classifications options.  The command has been modified to run much faster than before so that the time to perform the classifications should be dramatically less than previously experienced.

 

5.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Update Classifications] command for ArcGIS users.  Two new options called Set Visible Themes to Single Symbol and Set Active Themes to Single Symbol have been added to the choice list presented by this command.  These options enable the user to apply a single symbol classification, using the default symbol for the feature type, to either all visible or all active layers.  If a layer is of type Point, the symbol size for the point symbol will be set to 4.

 

6.         Addition of the Connect Points command to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.4) for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command will create line features by connecting point features based upon a sequential attribute value and/or a common attribute value.  To use this command the user activates or selects the point layer in the Table of Contents prior to activating this command.  Upon activation, the command displays a multi-input dialog box from which the user specifies: (a) the sequential attribute, (b) the common attribute, (c) the Z or elevation attribute (optional), (d) whether the selected point features are to be processed or if all of the point features in the active layer are to be processed and (e) the type of connectivity to be used (Sequential or Common and Sequential).  The lines which are created will be stored in a layer whose name will match the name of the current active layer.  Note that if this layer does not exist or if it does but is not of Line type, the ln extension will be appended to the name.  For example, if the name of the current active layer is L_0 and the layer L_0 does not exist in the Table of Contents, the lines will be stored in a layer called L_0ln.  In addition, if the L_0ln layer does not exist, a PGD will be created called L_0.mdb and a line feature dataset called L_0ln will be created within the PGD.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now export the elevation or Z value for polyline and polygon features.  Previously, this was only done if the feature was ZAware (a 3D feature).  Now if one of the following attributes is present (Z SZ, Z1, ELV, ELS, ELEV, ELEVATION, ELEV1, ELEVATION1), the program will include the attribute value in the DXF file as the Z value for the vertices which comprise the feature.  For two-point lines, if one of the following attributes is present (EZ, Z2, ELE, ELEV2, ELEVATION2), the program will include this attribute value in the DXF file as the end point Z value for the feature, otherwise, the start point elevation will be used as the end point elevation, if one is present.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now export CAD drawing curve features.  Previously, features which appeared in the document file in the form of a CAD drawing (.dwg, .dxf, .etc.) were not processed due to the fact that these features were drawn differently than native ArcMap features.  Now the program is able to process CAD drawing curve features by computing vertices along the curve at a uniform interval.  The interval is computed by taking the overall length of the curve and dividing it by 1.5.

 

9.         Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Import Points] command, for ArcGIS users when importing a CEDRA drawing, files of type CEDRA Dwg (*.ctl).  The command will now import the point code and description of a point feature, provided the point has been assigned a code and a description.  Previously, the point code and description, which appeared in the CEDRA drawing, were ignored by the command.  Now, these attributes will appear under the PTCODE and PTDESC fields.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now export scale bar elements when the export is performed from Layout View.  Previously, scale bar elements were ignored.  In addition, the program has been modified to export a polyline which represents the outline of north arrow and picture frame elements.  Although the program does not export the features which comprise the north arrow (since it is actually an ESRI font character) or a picture frame, the program will export a polyline which denotes the location of these two types of elements.

 

11.       Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Export Generate] command, for ArcGIS users in exporting point features.  A new choice called Single Point Coordinate File has been added to the list of available file types.  This new option enables the user to export point features in a variety of formats similar to the file formats presented by the [Import Points] command.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA Tool Palette for ArcGIS users.  The visibility of the palette is now stored in the global parameter setting file (c:\public.txt) so that when the user reinvokes the program and the palette was visibile the last time the program was used, the palette will now be displayed at its last position without the user having to select the [CEDRA Tool Palette] command.

 

13.       Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Sequential IDs command has been modified to allow the user the ability to add a prefix or suffix to the sequential index value that is computed, if so desired.  The text, <none>, denotes that the prefix or suffix is not to be added, any other text which is entered in the appropriate data fields will be used as either a prefix or suffix.  In addition, the user is able to specify the increment value that is to be used.  Previously, the increment value was always 1.  Now the user can enter the desired increment value.  The multi-input dialog box posed by this command has been modified to accommodate the three new parameters: ID increment value, prefix and suffix.

 

14.       Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Sequential IDs command, prior to displaying the multi-input dialog box, will check if there are any selected graphic line elements.  If so, an additional parameter will appear in the multi-input dialog box with the label, Use selected graphic for order (Y=yes, N=no):.  This new parameter enables the user to control the order of the features which are processed.  Previously, the order was based upon the feature's sequential OID value.  Now, when a selected graphic line element is present, the command will use the order of the vertices comprising the graphic line element to determine the order of how the features will be processed.  That is, the feature which is closest to the first vertex in the graphic line element will be processed first, while the feature which is closest to the last vertex will be processed last.

 

15.       Modification to the Sequential IDs command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Sequential IDs command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Sequential IDs command will now remember the values which were previously specified.  Prior to this modification, the same default values would always appear whenever the command was invoked.  Now the command will display the values which were last entered as the default values.

 

16.       Modification to the Relocation 4 command |EXT/ELE/XING| for ArcGIS users.  The command now displays a check box control at the bottom of the Yes/No/Cancel query box, which is displayed after the user selects the features to be extended, that enables the user to control whether or not point features are to be created at the computed intersections.  If the check box control is not checked, the command functions as it always did.  However, if the user checks the control, the command will not extend the selected features, but rather, will create point features at the computed intersections.

 

17.       Addition of the Assign Attribute command within the CEDRA-Skeletonization extension, for ArcGIS users.  The Assign Attribute command can be found in the CEDRA-Skeletonization-Tools toolbar.  The Assign Attribute command enables the user to assign a value (explicitly or picked from a list) to a specific attribute or field.  This command operates on the current active layer processing either all features in the layer or only the selected features, if any are present.  A multi-input dialog box is posed, from which, the user can specify the field to be processed and the explicit attribute value.  If the user desires to display a list of the unique values for the attribute, a parameter labeled List Attribute Unique Values (Y=yes, N=no) appears in the dialog box where the user can select either Yes or No.  If a unique attribute value list is displayed, it is possible for the user to select a value from the list and have it assigned to the features.  A parameter labeled Use a Unique Attribute Value (Y=yes, N=no) provides the user the ability to indicate if one of the unique attribute values is to be used or not.  If the user responds Yes, the multi-input dialog box is redisplayed with a list of the unique values for the selected attribute.  Note that no features are modified during the generation of the unique attribute value list.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9t

 

1.         Addition of the Echo 5 tool to the CEDRA-Echo-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This tool enables the user to echo or display the plus and offset of a point along a string, as well as, the overall length of the string.  A string may be comprised of one or more features (lines and/or curves).  When activated, the user will be asked to select the first element in the string.  A choice message box will appear enabling the user to define the string in one of three modes.  Once the string has been defined, the user makes a pick.  The command will project this pick onto the string and display the plus and offset values associated with the point of projection.  The user is then able to make another pick to display new plus and offset values.  The command remains in this mode of operation until another command is selected.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.7 to be able to export the visible data in either: (a) the current coordinate system of the view (data frame) or (b) in the coordinate system of the theme's data source.  A new option has been added to the dialog box posed by the Create DXF File command called Export using same Coordinate System as the Data Frame.  When this option has been activated (checked), all of the data that is exported will be in the same coordinate system as the view (data frame).  When this option is not activated (not checked), each theme (layer) will appear in the coordinate system of its data source.  As such, when this option is not checked it is possible for the themes (layers) to not overlay as expected since each theme (layer) could be in a different coordinate system.

 

3.         Addition of the Mirror Features and Repeat Features options to the Transformation tool for ArcGIS users.  These options appear below the Translate, Rotate, Scale Features option at the bottom of the choice list and enable the user to either mirror or repeat the selected features.  Both options create new features placing them in the current active layer.  Attributes of the selected features will be transferred to the new features provided that the layer into which the new features are stored contain the same attributes as the selected features.  When mirroring features the user can mirror about: (a) the X axis, (b) the Y axis or (c) an arbitrary baseline.  The options Pick Baseline Point 1 and Pick Baseline Point 2 should be used to specify the baseline control points.  When repeating features the user can: (a) create multiple copies, (b) apply a scale factor and/or (c) apply an angle of rotation.  The option Pick Baseline Point 1 should be used to specify the "control point" for the selected features, while the option Pick New Baseline Point 1 should be used to denote the new location of the "control point".

 

4.         Modification to the Transform Features and Stretch Features options in the Transformation tool for ArcGIS users when processing polyline and polygon features which have a large number of vertices comprising the feature.  These options will now process these types of features faster than before.

 

5.         Modification to the Perform a Topological Operation tool within the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 2.3), when using the topological operations called: SHARED EDGE and SHARED EDGE WITH BASE FEATURE.  These options have been modified to handle a vertex proximity tolerance of zero, as well as, improved to better find the common edge between the selected polygons.  This command appears in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 2.1, for ArcGIS users when processing a feature in a layer that has labels displayed.  The software will now refresh the layer, upon completion of the editing, to ensure that the labels which are displayed reflect the proper values.  Previously, there was no refreshing so that in order for the labels to be updated the user had to manually refresh the display of the layer.  Now, the software will perform this updating for the user.

 

7.         Modification to the Perform a Topological Operation tool within the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 2.3).  The tool will now process the active layer(s) or the visible layers.  Previously, the tool would process only the visible layers.  Now, if there are any active layers, the tool will process the active layer(s).  If there are no active layers then the tool functions as before processing all of the visible layers.  This command appears in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA Tool Palette for ArcGIS users.  The position of the palette is now stored in the global parameter setting file (c:\public.txt) so that when the user reinvokes the program and redisplays the palette, it will appear in the location in which it was last displayed.  In so doing, the user no longer has to reposition the palette, but rather, the palette will always be displayed in the location in which it last appeared.

 

9.         Addition of the CEDRA-Callout-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This new toolbar provides similar functionality to the Callout tools found in the Text tools drop-down list, found in the ArcView GIS environment, for creating various types of Callouts.  Since there is no out of the box toolbar in ArcMap for creating Callouts, this new toolbar is extremely useful for those users who need to create Callouts from within ArcMap.

 

10.       Modification to the [Print Data Frame] command under the {Data Frame Tools} combo-box for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this combo-box within the CEDRA-DataFrame-Tools toolbar.  The radial button Custom, under the Paper Size frame, has been changed to a listbox control containing the names of the maps in the document.  Selecting the radial button to the left of this listbox enables the user to specify custom sheet height and width values.  If the user selects the Include Data Frame matching the Paper Size option the user can select a map from this listbox for inclusion in the plot that is created.  Previously, the Data Frame that was included had to be called Custom.  Now the Data Frame that is included can be named anything the user desires.

 

11.       Modification to the {Text Properties} [Modify Annotation Features] command, for ArcGIS users.  This command now allows the user to reposition an annotation feature by centering a text string along a line while either (a) maintaining an offset or (b) fixing the offset of the annotation from a line.  Two new options have been added to the Reposition by choice drop-down list providing for this new functionality.  These options are called Maintaining Offset from a Line & Center and Fixed Offset from a Line & Center, respectively.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.7, for ArcView GIS users, when exporting point features.  If the point feature is not ZAware, that is to say not a 3D point, the program will try to use one of the following attributes; Z, ELV, ELEV or ELEVATION in exporting an elevation value.  If none of these attributes exist and the point is not ZAware, the elevation value 0.0 will be written to the DXF file.  If one of these attributes do exist, the program will export the value for the first attribute it finds.  Previously, a non-zero elevation value would be written only when the point feature was ZAware (a 3D point).

 

13.       Modification to the [Update Geometry] command for ArcGIS users, which appears under the {CEDRA commands} combo-box within the CEDRA-AVcad-Menus toolbar  A new option called Update Shapes using Coordinates has been added to the Mode of Operation choice list that is presented by this command.  This new option provides the user the ability to alter the geometry or shape of a feature by using coordinate values that are stored in the attribute table.  This option processes the current active point or polyline layer.  Once activated, the user is able to specify the fields which contain the X and Y coordinate values and how the coordinates are to be processed.  The coordinate processing options include Use Coordinates As Is, Project Decimal Degrees to Map Units and Project Distance to Map Units.  The last option Project Distance to Map Units is sensitive to the Display Units setting for the Data Frame.  When dealing with point features, this command will position the point using the X and Y coordinates found in the attribute table, while for polyline features the command will alter only the start and end points of the polyline, any intermediate vertices will remain unaltered.

 

14.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 when exporting attributes for a single layer.  Previously, the software would not output the BLOCKS command line in the DXF file, which resulted in the DXF file being incomplete.  This has been corrected so that attributes can be exported for one or many layers.

 

15.       Modification to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.4), for ArcGIS users when using the Snap To Points command.  The user is now able to specify whether all visible layers are to be processed or only the visible active layers are to be processed.  Previously, the command would process all visible layers.  Now the user has a choice as to which layers are to be processed.  In addition, if the Editor is in session an additional parameter will be presented in the multi-input dialog box presented by the command, enabling the user to either: (a) stop the Editor saving any edits which may have been made, or (b) stop the Editor ignoring any edits which may have been made.  In order to use this command, the Editor should be stopped prior to invoking the command, if the Editor is not stopped, this additional parameter will appear in the multi-input dialog box.

 

16.       Modification to the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 2.4) when using the Change Feature's Shape tool.  The tool will now check if one or two layers are active.  If so, the tool tries to select two features from the active layer(s).  If two features can not be selected, the command functions as before.  If two features of the same type can be selected, the command highlights the first feature found and prompts the user as to if this is the base feature to be modified in the form of a Yes/No/Cancel message box.  By activating the layer or layers containing: (a) the feature to be modified and (b) the feature containing the new shape, the user is able to reduce the number of clicks in altering the shape of a feature.

 

17.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now export Callout elements.  Previously, Callout elements were ignored and as such would not appear in the DXF file that was created.  Now Callout elements are processed from both Data View and Layout View.

 

18.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now export the Data Frame's border, if one has been associated with the Data Frame, when the export is performed from Layout View.  Previously, the Data Frame's border would not be processed.  Now the program will export the Data Frame's border when creating a DXF file from Layout View.

 

19.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.8 for ArcGIS users.  The program will now export multi-line annotation features stored in a geodatabase.  Previously, only single-line annotation features were handled.  Now, both single and multi-line annotation features are properly exported from both Data View and Layout View.

 

20.       Addition of the Generate Parcel Centroids command to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.4) for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command will generate point features representing the approximate centroid location for the selected polygon features.  The user selects the polygon features to be processed prior to activating this command.  The point features which are created are stored in the current active layer.  Should the polygon being processed contain a Parcel Identification Number (PIN), the command will transfer the PIN to the point feature.  The PIN.TXT file located in the \cedra\avprjs folder can be used to define the structure of the PIN.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9s

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  Four tools have been added to the toolbar.  The first three correspond to the Set Graphic Text Angle (2 Pts), Set Graphic Text Angle (Pick Line) and Set Graphic Text Angle (Explicit) options within the Transformation tool.  These tools enable the user to define the angle of inclination for an annotation feature by: (a) picking two points, (b) picking an existing line feature or (c) explicitly entering an angle.  In using these tools, the user is able to (a) "pick" the annotation feature to be processed and then specify the appropriate data, or (b) "select" the annotation feature prior to activating the tool and then specify the appropriate data required by the tool.  The fourth tool is the Edit A Text tool which enables the user to edit the text string that is associated with the annotation feature (see the description below for more information).

 

2.         Addition of the Edit A Text tool to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  In using this tool, the user "picks" the annotation feature to be modified, after which, the command displays a multi-input message box containing the annotation feature's current text string and the attributes which are associated with the annotation feature.  The user is then able to enter a new text by overwriting the current text string that is displayed or by selecting the attribute whose value is to be used as the text string.  Should the user wish to break the text into separate text strings, the characters || can be used.  When the || characters are found, the command will create a new annotation feature in the same layer as the original selected annotation feature.  There is no limit to the number of times the || characters can appear in a text string.  When the || characters are used, the command will center the annotation features about the original selected annotation feature's position.  In addition, this tool can be used to transfer the attribute value of a line feature to the text string.  When selecting the annotation feature to be processed, if the "pick" that is made to select the feature can also be used to select a line feature, the command will highlight both the annotation feature and the line feature and display the attributes of the line feature in the multi-input dialog box.  The user can then select one of the line feature's attributes, if desired.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-Transform-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  An additional tool has been added to the toolbar.  This tool corresponds to the Translate, Rotate, Scale Features option within the Transformation tool.  This tool enables the user to translate, rotate and scale selected features without taking into consideration a baseline.  This means that the transformation, which is applied to the selected features, is in respect to the X and Y axes.  In using this tool, the user selects the feature(s) to be transformed and then selects this tool.  The command will then display the transformation parameter multi-input dialog box, from which, the user can enter the appropriate data.  Once entered, the transformation is applied to the selected features and the dialog box redisplayed so that another transformation can be applied to the same features.  To terminate the command, the user selects the Cancel button.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-Text-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  A new tool, Curved Text, has been added to the toolbar.  This brings the total number of tools in this toolbar to six.  The Curved Text tool enables the user to convert an existing annotation feature into a text string which follows the path of an existing polyline feature.  In using this tool, the user first selects and confirms the annotation feature to be processed followed by selecting and confirming the polyline feature which the annotation feature is to follow.  Once both features have been identified, the command presents a multi-input dialog box which enables the user to control: (a) the X and Y offsets along the polyline, (b) the text string and (c) whether the text string is to be flipped or reversed.  The dialog box will remain visible until the user selects the Cancel button.  This allows the user the ability to enter various values until the desired position has been achieved.

 

5.         Addition of the Duplicate Features command to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.6) for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command checks to see if there are any duplicates features in a layer or if there are any duplicate features between two layers.  In determining duplicate features this command checks if there are features which have the exact same geometry.  As such, the direction of a feature's geometry is important in determining if a duplicate feature exists.  Once the duplicate features have been identified, the user has the option to: (a) highlight the duplicate features, (b) delete the duplicate features, (c) add the attributes of the duplicate features which are missing (available only when two layers are being processed) or (d) update the common attributes using the values of the duplicate features.

 

6.         Modification to the Change Feature's Course tool within the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 2.2).  This command has been modified to better find vertex matches when the end points of the second feature selected do not have an exact match with the first feature selected.  When the end points of the second feature do not have an exact match with any vertex of the first feature, the command will use the vertices on the first feature which are the closest to the end points of the second feature.  This command appears in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.

 

7.         Addition of the Point Elev. from TIN and Point Elev. from Contours commands to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.6) for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find these new commands in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  These new commands enable the user to interpolate an elevation for point features based upon a TIN dataset or a layer containing contour strings, respectively.  In using these commands, the user must first activate in the table of contents the two layers which represent the point layer and the TIN or contour string layer to be processed.  Once done, the user can select the appropriate command.  Upon selection of the command, the program will display a dialog box where the user can specify the desired interpolation parameter values.

 

8.         Addition of the Profile from TIN command to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.6) for ArcGIS users.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This new command enables the user to extract a profile based upon a TIN dataset and a selected feature in a polyline layer.  In using this command, the user must first activate in the table of contents the two layers which represent the polyline layer and the TIN layer to be processed.  Once done, the user can select this command.  Upon selection of the command, the program will display a dialog box where the user can specify the desired profile extraction parameter values.

 

9.         Modification to the [Set Text Size] command under the {Text Properties} menu item for ArcGIS users.  The command will now display the text size that should be used (for each of the annotation layers in the current active map) to generate a text identical in size as that of the selected text.  A choice list message box is displayed containing the text size and the annotation layer it corresponds to, from which, the user selects the desired text size.  Note that this occurs only when an annotation feature is selected.  This will not occur when a graphic text element is selected.

 

10.       Modification to the [Select Features from Active Layers] command in the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar to handle cases where one of the active layers is a raster image or a CAD drawing.  Previously, the command would not select any features if one of the active layers was a raster image or a CAD drawing.

 

11.       Modification to the {Text Properties} [Modify Annotation Features] command, for ArcGIS users.  This command now allows the user to modify the text angle, which is associated with the selected annotation feature(s), by: (a) explicitly entering a desired text angle or (b) by adding an incremental angle.  Two new options have been added to the Mode of Operation choice drop-down list providing for this new functionality.  These options are called Set the Text Angle (degrees) and Add to the Text Angle (degrees), respectively.

 

12.       Modification to the [Select Features from Active Layers] command in the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar to place the features which are selected in the map's feature selection list when the Editor is in an edit state.  This enables the user to use ArcMap's Edit Tool to relocate the selected feature(s).  Previously, this was not done and as such, the user had to first select the feature(s) and then place the Editor in an edit state in order to be able to use the Edit Tool.  Now, the user is able to select the feature(s) when the Editor is in an edit state and use the Edit Tool.  Note, that the Edit Tool is the tool which appears immediately to the right of the Editor button on ArcMap's Editor toolbar.

 

13.       Modification to the [Update Geometry] command for ArcGIS users, which appears under the {CEDRA commands} combo-box within the CEDRA-AVcad-Menus toolbar  A new option called Dirty Features Check has been added to the Mode of Operation choice list that is presented by this command.  This new option will check the active layer for features which have Null or Empty geometries, including annotation features which may also have a Null text string assigned to them.  If no dirty features are found, an information message box to this effect will be displayed.  If there are dirty features the user has the ability to delete them from the active layer.  Note that this option will process only one active layer at a time and if features are deleted, the user has the ability to Undo the deletion, if so desired.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9r

 

1.         Addition of the [Change Conversion Properties] command under the {Text Properties} menu item.  The six items which appear in the multi-input message box posed by this new command were formerly under the [Change Text Properties] command.  These items were removed to make room for six new items.  The items handled by this new command deal with the conversion and annotation of polygon features.

 

2.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Change Text Properties] command.  The bottom six items in the multi-input message box have been replaced by six new items.  The six items which were replaced now appear in the {Text Properties} [Change Conversion Properties] command.  The six new items deal with the annotation of area values.  The last item in the multi-input message box is a new parameter which enables the user to control the location of the area annotation.  The default value for this parameter Offset from Centroid will locate the area annotation in the same position as previously done.  The other settings, Centroid, Centroid - Above and Centroid - Below are new and enable the user to position the area annotation at the centroid, slight above the centroid and slightly below the centroid of the polygon.

 

3.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Geometry] command.  The command will now prompt the user as to whether all of the active themes are to be processed or if all of the visible themes are to be processed.  A choice list message box is displayed upon activation of the command.  Previously, a YesNo message box was displayed when the command was activated.  Now the user selects from the drop-down the desired mode of operation.  As before, if a theme contains no selected features then all of the features in the theme are processed, otherwise, only the selected features are processed.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 2.4, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when using the options Pick POB & Transcribe Deed or Pick POC & Transcribe Deed.  A new option called "Force Closure - Move First Course" has been added to the choice message box which is displayed when the parcel does not close.  This option enables the user to move the start point of the first course in the parcel to the end point of the parcel.  This new option is intended to complement the current option "Force Closure - Move Last Course" which moves the end point of the last course in the parcel to the start point of the parcel.

 

5.         Addition of the Relocation 8 command |SMOOTH LINE| which enables the user to de-weed and/or smooth one or more polylines.  When activated, the user is asked to make a pick or drag a rectangle such that the desired polyline(s) are selected.  Upon confirmation of the selected features, a multi-input dialog box will be displayed, from which, the user can specify the desired mode of operation.  In terms of de-weeding, the user is able to: (a) keep all of the points which comprise the polyline, (b) remove those which do not meet a minimum segment length or (c) remove every Nth point.  In terms of smoothing, the user can select one of five methods: (a) circular arc, (b) natural spline (c) clamped spline, (d) straight line or (e) straight line with trim.  Once the de-weeding and smoothing parameters have been specified, the selected features will be processed and their shapes altered.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 2.1, for ArcGIS users.  The maximum number of items which can be displayed per dialog box has been increased from 20 to 30.  Note that when more than 20 items are to be displayed it is suggested that the screen resolution be set to 1280x1024 or higher.  If not, the dialog box will occupy a large part of the screen covering up more of the map display than is desired.

 

7.         Addition of the Overlapping Polygons command to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.5).  ArcView GIS users will find this new command under the PolyTools menu item.  ArcGIS users will find this new command in the combo-box on the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar.  This command checks to see if any polygons overlap a given set of polygons.  In using this command, the user activates the theme for which the selected polygon(s) in the theme will be checked for overlapping polygons.  The activated theme can contain one or more selected polygons.  This command will check if any other polygons within the theme overlap the selected polygon(s).  If there are polyons which overlap the selected polygons, the command will display a list of the overlapping polygon OIDs, as well as, highlight these polygons in the map.

 

8.         Modification to the Perform a Topological Operation tool within the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 2.1).  Two new topological operations called: SHARED EDGE and SHARED EDGE WITH BASE FEATURE have been added to the topological operations choice message box presented by this command.  Both options search for a common side between two polygons.  A common side is defined as two vertices on each polygon which are within a user defined tolerance.  These vertices are referred to as the match points.  All vertices on the base feature between the match points, inclusive, form the common side.  The SHARED EDGE option will modifiy the polygon initially selected by incorporating the shared sides with the polygons which are selected second.  The SHARED EDGE WITH BASE FEATURE, on the other hand, will modify the polygons which are selected second by incorporating the shared side with the polygon which is initially selected.  These options provide an excellant means of forcing two adjacent polygons to have the exact same side or edge.  This command appears in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.

 

9.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.6, for ArcView GIS users, to be able to perform an export operation from within a Layout document.  Previously, an export operation could only be performed from within a View document.  Now, the user is able to export a Layout document, in addition to a View document, into a DXF file.  When this extension is loaded and a layout document is activated, the user will see the DXF Export menu item in the Layout menu bar.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.6, for ArcGIS users, to be able to perform an export operation from within the Layout View.  Previously, an export operation could only be performed from within the Data View.  Now, the user is able to export a Layout View, in addition to a Data View, into a DXF file.  This is particularly useful when the user wishes to create a DXF file which reflects a fully assembled drawing, rather than a world view.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.6, to honor a layer's scale threshold values.  Previously, this was not done, so that, even though the layer did not appear in the map the layer would be exported because it was visible.  Now, if the layer is visible in the Table of Contents, but due to the layer's scale threshold values it does not appear in the map, the layer will not be exported.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.6, when exporting Arc/Info coverage annotation.  The degree symbol, ^, will now be converted into the typical degree symbol when the DXF file is created.  As such, the user will no longer see the ^ character when importing the DXF file.

 

13.       Addition of the {Text Properties} [Modify Graphic Text] command, for ArcGIS users.  This new command enables the user to change the properties of graphic text elements.  Specifically, the size, color, font and font style.  Users are able to modify the properties of selected graphic text elements or all graphic text elements in the map.

 

14.       Addition of the {Text Properties} [Modify Annotation Features] command, for ArcGIS users.  This new command enables the user to change the properties of annotation features.  Specifically, the size, color, font and font style.  Users are able to modify the properties of selected annotation features.  If there are no selected annotation features, an appropriate error message will be displayed.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9q

 

1.         Modification to the Offset 1 command |PARL LN| and Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| to prevent the offset elements, which are created, to not overlap each other.  Previously, when the specified offset exceeded the length of the smallest segment in the string, these commands (depending upon the geometry of the string) would generate offset elements which would overlap each other.  The subroutine iccalpel has been modified to prevent overlapping offset elements.  Note that it is still possible to get overlapping offset elements.  This will occur when the specified offset exceeds the smallest distance between parallel elements in the string.

 

2.         Modification to the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 1.9) when using the Change Features's Course command.  The command will now process features which are within a tolerance of the feature to be modified.  Previously, a feature would only be modified if the feature, which was selected second, was connected to the original feature.  That is, both endpoints of the feature, which was picked second, had to match a vertex on the original feature.  Now the endpoints of the feature, which is picked second, have to be within a tolerance.  The initial tolerance used is 20% of the second feature's length.  The command will scan each vertex in the original feature for an exact match with an endpoint of the second feature selected.  If an exact match is made that vertex is used, if an exact match can not be made, the command will use the vertex which is closest to the endpoint.  Previously, if an exact match was not found, the program would inform the user that the second feature was disconnected from the first feature and the first feature would remain unaltered.  Now the endpoints of the second feature just need to be close to the first feature.  This command appears in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.4, to provide an option to export the features within the current view extent without having to select the features.  Previously, the Create DXF File command would process only selected features in visible layers with the caveat, that if, the layer did not have any selected features then all features in the layer would be processed.  Now a new option has been added to the dialog box, which is displayed by the Create DXF File command, that carries the label Export Features displayed in the Current Extent, which when checked denotes that all features which are visible in the current view extent are to be processed even though they may not be selected.  If this option is not checked then the command will operate as prior to this modification.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.4, when processing multi-part features.  Previously, multi-part features were treated as one single feature, which had the effect that an extra line would appear from the endpoint of the previous part to the start point of the next part.  Now each part in a multi-part feature is treated as a single feature, thereby eliminating this extra line.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.4, for ArcGIS users to handle Annotation Group layers and Group Layers.  Regarding Annotation Group layers, when the Export Selected Graphics (Marker, Pen, Fill and Text) option is checked, in addtion to checking the Export Features displayed in the Current Extent option, all visible Annotation Group layers (excluding the <Default> layer) will be exported regardless of the selection state of the graphic elements within these Annotation Groups.  The name of the Annotation Group layer will serve as the name of the layer in the DXF file.  Previously, graphic elements would only be exported if they were selected and the name of the Annotation Group layer was ignored.  Graphic elements in the <Default> Annotation Group must be selected in order for them to considered in the DXF export process.  Regarding Group Layers, an error message would be displayed if the map contained one or more Group Layers.  This no longer will occur.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.4, when the Export for importing into CEDRA I-series software option is not checked.  The program will now set the color of the features in a layer to correspond to the default layer color.  Previously, each feature in the layer was assigned a specific color, now, each feature in a layer is assigned the color 256 which denotes that the feature color is to correspond to the color that is assigned to the layer.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DXF-Export extension, Version 1.4, when processing 3D features (features which have a Z assigned to their geometry) to export the Z value.  Previously, the Z value of the feature was ignored.  Now, if the feature's geometry contains Z information it will appear in the DXF file.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 2.0, when reading the Theme Attribute Data file.  The program will now check to see if the THEME and CHOICES commands are properly terminated with the END command.  If these commands are not terminated with the END command, an appropriate error message is generated.  Once the program has finished reading the entire Theme Attribute Data file, if any errors were detected, a list message box will be displayed informing the user as to what errors were detected.  The user can then modify the Theme Attribute Data file, afterwhich, the Reload Theme Attribute Data File tool can be used to import the modified file.  Previously, no error checking was performed.

 

9.         Addition of the Union and Buffer command to the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This command enables the user to union and/or create buffer polygons for polyline and polygon features.  For point features, this command enables the user to create circular or rectangular buffer polygons.  When processing polyline and polygon features, this command will take individual polyline and polygon features, unioning them, to create a single polyline or polygon feature.  In addition, the user has the option to assign to the new polyline or polygon feature: (a) the default attribute values, (b) the attribute values which are common for all of the selected features, or (c) the attribute values of the first selected feature.  The user also has the option of either deleting the selected features which were unioned or not.  For point features, this command creates concentric circular or rectangular buffer polygons centered about the selected feature(s).

 

10.       Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| when handling multi-part features.  The command will now try to determine which part in the multi-part feature was selected.  This is done by finding the vertex in the feature that is closest to the user's pick.  The part in which this vertex resides in will denote the selected part.  If no part can be found, the command operates as before this modification.  If a part is found, the command prompts the user as to what mode of operation the command is to function under.  This is accomplished by displaying a choice list message box containing 5 options.  Option 1 enables the user to decompose all parts in the feature.  That is, new features will be created representing each part in the multi-part.  Option 2 enables the user to create two new features with one of them being the selected part and the other representing the original selected feature, minus the selected part.  Option 3 enables the user to create one new feature representing the selected part, as well as, altering the shape of the original selected feature.  Option 4 enables the user to create only one new feature which represents the selected part.  The original selected feature is left unaltered.  Option 5 enables the user to simply delete the selected part from the original selected feature.  No new features are created under this option, however, the shape of the original selected feature is altered.

 

11.       Modification to the filing subroutines when creating new shapefiles.  These subroutines will now assign the map spatial reference to the respective shapefiles, provided the map has a spatial reference assign to it.  If the map does not have a spatial reference assigned to it, the Unknown Coordinate system will be assigned to the shapefiles.  Previously, all shapefiles which were created by the software were assigned the Unknown Coordinate system.

 

12.       Addition of the Open Theme Table and Switch the Selection Set tools to the CEDRA-ArcView3-Tools toolbar.  This modification is for ArcGIS users only.  The Open Theme Table tool is used to open the attribute table for the active or selected layers in the map. This tool will also handle tables in addition to layers.  The Switch the Selection Set tool is used to switch or reverse the selection set for the active or selected layers in the map. That is to say, whatever is selected will become deselected and what was unselected will become selected. If the layer contains no selected features, then all features in the layer will be made selected, providing a quick way of selecting all features in a layer. This tool will also handle tables in addition to layers.

 

13.       Addition of the Perform a Topological Operation tool to the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 2.0).  This tool appears as the third tool in the tool drop-down provided by this extension and can be used to perform various topological operations on polygon features.  The topological operations include COMBINE, DIFFERENCE, INTERSECTION and UNION.  In using this tool, the user first selects the polygon to be modified, that is, the polygon which is to be reshaped.  The user then selects the polygon(s) which are to be used in the topological operation.  Once these features have been selected, the user is presented with a choice box containing the above mentioned topological operations.  The user is able to select one of these topological operations or the Cancel button to abort the command.  If a topological operation is selected, the command performs the operation and highlights the new shape in red.  The user is then asked if the polygon(s), which were selected second (those features selected following the selection of the polygon to be modified), are to be deleted.  If the Yes button is selected, the polygons picked second are deleted.  Regardless if the polygons pick second are deleted or not, the shape of the polygon initially selected is altered according to the topological operation that was selected.  This command appears in the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools2 toolbar for ArcGIS users.

 

14.       Modification to the ReClassifyTheme subroutine, for ArcGIS users, to better maintain the existing symbology that is applied to a layer.  Previously, under certain conditions the classification of a layer would be altered by this subroutine.  Now, a layer's classification should be maintained when processed by this subroutine.

 

15.       Modification to the Union and Buffer command within the CEDRA-Polygon-Tools toolbar for ArcGIS users.  This command when processing line features will now handle lines which have a gap between coincident elements, as well as, lines which overlap each other.  Previously, these conditions were not accounted for and as such undesirable results were generated.

 

16.       Modification to the {AVcad Tools} [Import Points] command, for ArcGIS users when using one of the following options Line Connectivity File, Line Coordinate File - 1, Line Coordinate File - 2, or Line Coordinate File - 3.  These commands have been modified to present one dialog box for specification of the corresponding fields.  Previously, several individual queries were presented for each corresponding field that needed to be specified.  Now, only one dialog box with the appropriate choice drop-down lists is presented.

 

17.       Addition of the Intersection 4a command |TRIM w/ FILLET| for ArcGIS users.  This new command appears as the fourth tool from the left in the CEDRA-Intersection-Tools toolbar and as the fourth tool from the left in the CEDRA Tool Palette under the Intersections label.  This new command enables the user to intersect two features (lines, polylines, curves) providing the ability to: (a) extend the endpoints of the features to their intersection, (b) create a fillet tangent to the features, and (c) extend the endpoints and create a fillet.  Upon activation of the command, the user selects the first feature to be processed, after which confirmation of the selection will be required.  The user then selects the second feature and confirms its selection.  Once both features have been identified, a dialog box will appear from which the user can specify the mode of operation.

 

18.       Addition of the Translate, Rotate, Scale Features option to the Transformation tool.  This option appears above the Stretch Features option at the bottom of the choice list and enables the user to translate, rotate and scale the selected features.  This option differs from the Transform Features option in that this option does not take into a baseline direction.  Rather, this option uses the X and Y axis as its frame of reference and as such, it does not require the user to employ any of the Pick Baseline options prior to selecting this option.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9p

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.9, for ArcGIS users when using the ADDONE option in conjunction with the DEFAULT command.  The software will now keep track of the largest value assigned to an attribute using global memory.  The first time the ADDONE option is encountered for a specific attribute, the largest value for the attribute will be ascertained by parsing through the entire database at which point the largest value will be placed in global memory.  Thereafter, subsequent references to ADDONE for the same attribute, the software will use global memory to determine the largest value, rather than, parsing the entire database.  This modification increases performance greatly, especially when the database is large.

 

2.         Modification to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.4), for ArcGIS users when using the Generate Parcel Corners command.  The command can now process line features in addition to polygon features.  Previously, the command would only process polygon features.  When line features are processed, point features will be generated at the endpoints of the lines.  No duplicate point features will be generated.  If both line and polygon features are selected at the time the command is selected, the user will be prompted to select which feature type is to be processed.

 

3.         Modification to the Avenue Wraps dynamic linked library (DLL) for handling PC ArcInfo coverages.  This modification enables ArcGIS users to have PC ArcInfo coverages loaded in their ArcMap document files.  Previously, ArcGIS users could not have a PC ArcInfo coverage loaded in their ArcMap document file.  This no longer is the case.

 

4.         Modification to the Curve 7 command |CR/2PT/R| when explicitly entering a radius to allow the user to enter the radius in a units of measure that is different from the map units.  Previously, the command, when processing a radius, assumed that the radius was in the same units of measure as the map units.  The units of measure is controlled with the {View} [Properties] menu item via the Map Units and Distance Units settings.

 

5.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Point Data] command, for ArcGIS users to allow the user the ability to annotate or store in the database a point feature's coordinates in the form of (a) projected coordinates, (b) decimal degrees or (c) latitude and longitude, in terms of degrees, minutes and seconds and with or without direction (latitude N-S, longitude E-W).  Four new choice boxes appear at the bottom of the dialog box called: "Coordinate Values in:", "Update Coordinates in Database:", "Digits Right of Decimal - Decimal Degrees/Sec.:" and "Include D.M.S. space separators (Y=yes, N=no):".  The first new choice box enables the user to specify the form of the coordinates, the second whether the coordinates are to appear as annotation or if they are to appear in the attribute table of the point theme, while the third new choice box enables the user to control the number of digits to the right of the decimal point for decimal degree values and for the seconds component in a degree, minute and second value.  The last new choice box enables the user to include or exclude a space (blank character) between the degrees, minutes and seconds components.  In storing the coordinates in the database the command will use the fields, X and Y for projected coordinates, X_LONG and Y_LAT for decimal degrees and LATITUDE and LONGITUDE for all other coordinate types.  If these fields do not exist in the attribute table, the command will create them prior to populating the values.  The LATITUDE and LONGITUDE fields will be of string type, while the others will be numeric.  The units in which the projected coordinates are displayed will be in either map or distance units depending upon the selection in the "Coordinate Values in:" choice box.

 

6.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Export Generate] command, for ArcGIS users when processing coordinates to export the coordinates in the units as specified by the Distance Units property for the Data Frame.  Previously, all coordinates were exported in terms of the map units.  Now the command will adhere to the Distance Units property setting.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-SectorPolygons extension, Version 1.5, to store as attributes in the theme, which will contain the polygons that are generated, (a) the true calculated area in square feet (sm) and acres (ha), (b) the true calculated perimeter in feet (m), (c) the ring ID value which the polygon is associated with and (d) the radius of the ring specified by the user.  The names of these attributes are AREA_C, AREA_AC_C, PERIM_C, RING, and RADIUS, respecitively.  SI users should note that the AREA_AC attribute will appear as AREA_HA, rather than as AREA_AC.  Previously this information was not stored in the theme.  The reason for adding the new area and perimeter attributes is that the polygons which are created do not have true curve features as their sides, but rather, they contain polylines which closely resemble curves.  As such, the default area and perimeter values which are stored in the theme are based upon polylines resembling circular curves, rather than actual curves.  The new area and perimeter attributes reflect the true calculated area and perimeter taking into the circular curve sides.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9o

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension, Version 1.7, to enable the user to select either a polyline or a polygon feature.  Previously, the user could only select a polyline feature.

 

2.         Modification to the Tangent Curve 2 command |T-ARC/R/A| to allow the user to enter an arc length in a units of measure that is different from the map units.  Previously, the command, when processing an arc length, assumed that the arc length was in the same units of measure as the map units.  The units of measure is controlled with the {View} [Properties] menu item via the Map Units and Distance Units settings.

 

3.         Modification to the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.3), for ArcGIS users when using the Snap To Points command.  The tolerance value that is entered by the user should now be entered in the view's distance units, not the map units.  Previously, the tolerance had to be entered in the view's map units, now the tolerance value is always entered in the view's distance units.

 

4.         Modification to the Relocation 5 command |CUT-OUT|, the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| and the Relocation 10 command |D C/EP| for ArcGIS users only to maintain the OID of the feature being processed.  These commands still function as before with the exception that instead of generating one or two new OIDs, the OID of the feature being cut-out or broken will be maintained.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users to enable the user to assign a default value to an attribute that is equal to the maximum value in the field plus one (1.0).  A new option to the DEFAULT command called ADDONE has been added that provides this functionality.  The syntax of this option in conjunction with the DEFAULT command would be DEFAULT ADDONE.  Note that this option will work for both numeric and string type fields.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users to enable the user to assign a default value to an attribute that is the current date.  A new option to the DEFAULT command called CURRENT_DATE has been added that provides this functionality.  An example of this option in conjunction with the DEFAULT command would be DEFAULT CURRENT_DATE.  The date string that is generated is of the form month/day/year, where the month and day values are numeric with no leading zero and each component is separated with the / character.  For example 6/9/2004 would be generated to represent June 9, 2004.  Note that this option will work for both date and string type fields.  If the user wishes to generate a custom date string the characters m, mm, mmm, mmmm, d, dd, ddd, dddd, yy and yyyy can be used.  For example the user could enter DEFAULT CURRENT_DATE_mm/dd/yyyy to generate a date string 06/09/2004.  As can be seen the m characters represent the month component, the d characters denote the day component and the yy and yyyy strings represent the year in short (04) and long form (2004).  The m and d characters denote the following:

            m                     month in numerical form with no leading zero

            mm                   month in numerical form with a leading zero, if need be

            mmm                month in abbreviated text form (i.e. Sep for September)

            mmmm             month in full text form (i.e. September, October, etc.)

            d                      day in numerical form with no leading zero

            dd                    day in numerical form with a leading zero, if need be

            ddd                  day in abbreviated text form (i.e. Wed for Wednesday)

            dddd                day in full text form (i.e. Monday, Tuesday, etc.)

            Should the user wish to introduce a space in the date string, the underscore character (_) should be used to represent the space.  Spaces can not be entered directly.  For example DEFAULT CURRENT_DATE_d_mmmm_yyyy would create the date string 9 June 2004.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users to enable the user to control the number of attributes that are displayed in the dialog box, generated by this extension.  A new command called NLINES has been added which enables the user to specify a value between 1 and 20.  An example of the use of this command would be NLINES 12 which indicates that the maximum number of attributes that will be displayed in a dialog box would be twelve.  At least one blank character (space) must separate the number of attributes value from the NLINES command.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users to enable the user to assign a default value to an attribute that is the X or Y coordinate of the feature's start, mid or end point.  Thirty-two new options have been added to the DEFAULT command.  A description of these options appears in the THEMES.TXT file located in the AVPRJS folder within the CEDRA distribution directory.

 

9.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users to enable the user to control the number of digits to the right of the decimal point that appears in the seconds component of a latitude or longitude value.  A new command called SECONDS has been added which enables the user to specify a value between 0 and 9.  An example of the use of this command would be SECONDS 3 which indicates that the number of digits in the seconds component would be three.  At least one blank character (space) must separate the value from the SECONDS command.

 

10.       Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| to be able to insert a vertex on a two-point line.  Previously, a vertex could only be inserted on polyline and polygon features.  Now, when a two-point line is processed, if the pick which is made to select the line is close to the mid-point of the line a vertex will be inserted at the mid-point of the line.  The tolerance for being close to the mid-point of the line is 15% of the line length.  If the pick is not close to the mid-point of the line, the command will function as before prompting the user to select the new location of the endpoint which is closest to the pick.

 

11.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users when using the TAB key.  Now, when the TAB key is used the software will highlight the text in the data field which has focus.  Previously, the software would simply place the cursor at the beginning or end of the text in the data field.

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.8, for ArcGIS users when processing a feature in a layer which is classified to refresh the display of the layer.  Previously, this was not done which had the effect that if the feature which was processed was modified in such a way that the classification was effected, the display was not updated to reflect the new classification.  Now the software will refresh the display so that the classification is properly reflected.

 

13.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Export Generate] command, for ArcGIS users to enable users to export data in terms of latitudes and longitudes.  Four choices have been added to the drop-down list and appear as (a) Vertex Coordinate File - Longitude,Latitude, (b) Vertex Coordinate File - Latitude,Longitude, (c) ID,Longitude,Latitude File and (d) ID,Latitude,Longitude File.  In order for these options to work, a projection, other than the Unknown projection, must be applied to the data frame.  If not, the coordinates exported will be terms of the data frame coordinate system and not in terms of latitudes and longitudes.

 

14.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command when processing a file with one of the Polygon File Formats.  Previously, there was a restriction that each data line, below the initial data line describing a polygon, had to have at least five characters.  This restriction has now been removed.

 

15.       Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| in the display of the initial or default baseline direction.  The seconds component value is now displayed to five digits to the right of the decimal point.  Previously, it was displayed to only one digit.  This modification improves the calculations in maintaining the true direction of the baseline when the baseline is a "picked" line or when the baseline is defined by two picks.  If the baseline is explicitly entered, this modification will have no effect.

 

16.       Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| in the display of the initial or default baseline direction.  The seconds component value is now displayed to five digits to the right of the decimal point.  Previously, it was displayed to only one digit.  This modification improves the calculations in maintaining the true direction of the baseline when the baseline is a "picked" line or when the baseline is defined by two picks.  If the baseline is explicitly entered, this modification will have no effect.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9n

 

1.         Modification to the icatan and icasinan scripts for improved precision in computing arc tangent and arc sine values.

 

2.         Modification to the Dformat script for ArcView 3.3 compatibility.  This script is used to convert numbers into formatted strings.

 

3.         Modification to the Curve 7 command |CR/2PT/R| to offer the user the option of creating an arc or a circle.  Previously, this command would only create circles.  Now, when the Distance property is set to Direct Entry, the user has the option of entering the character a to denote create an arc, or the character c to denote that a circle is to be created.  This option will appear in a multi-input message box below the data field requesting the radius of the curve.  If the Distance property is set to anything other than Direct Entry, the program will operate as before and the user will be able to create only circles.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 2.2, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when selecting the Cancel button.  Previously, when the Cancel button was selected the command would immediately abort.  Now, if more than one course has been defined, the command will query the user as to if the command is to be truly aborted.  A response of NO will result in the course data entry dialog box being redisplayed, at which point, the user can continue with the data entry.

 

5.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| when using the Point and Auto-Search option.  The changing of the view when a feature falls outside of the current display has been changed for better visibility of the selected feature.

 

6.         Modification to the Offset 1 command |PARL LN|, Offset 2 command |PARL CV|, Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| and Offset 4 command |PAR ELE/PT| to remember the last offset value that was specified.  In addition, the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| will also remember the line type and buffer offset values.

 

7.         Modification to the Intersection 7 command |I 2L/OF/1| to handle multiple definitions of line 2's for intersection with line 1.  Previously, the command would only handle one intersection, that of line 1 with line 2.  At which point the command would have to be reselected to perform another intersection.  Now the command is able to intersect line 1 with multiple definitions of line 2.  So that once line 2 has been defined and the intersection with line 1 computed, the user is able to define another line 2 for intersection with line 1.  This process continues until another command is selected or this command is reselected.

 

8.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 2.3, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when creating parcels.  Six new attributes have been added to the ParcelData shapefile, which describe the closure of the parcel.  The new attributes are called CLOSED, CLOSE_DIST, CLOSE_DX, CLOSE_DY, CLOSE_AZ and CLOSE_BEAR.  If a parcel that is created closes to its beginning (the beginning and ending points of the parcel are the same) the value for the CLOSED attribute will be YES, if it does not, the value will be NO.  The remaining five attributes describe the distance and direction from the parcel's beginning and ending points.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9m

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 2.0, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when adjusting a closed or open traverse to perform the adjustment in a temporary directory and then copy the resultant adjustment files into the directory, as specified when the output file name is entered.  The temporary directory will be either c:\windows\temp, c:\winnt\temp, c:\temp, $temp, or the current working directory whichever is found first.  $temp denotes the Windows TEMP environment variable.  Previously, the analysis was performed in the current working directory and as such each component of the directory structure had to be 8 characters or less in length.  Note that the output filename, which is specified, must still be 8 characters or less in length.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 2.1, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| to store the area of a polygon in terms of acres (hectares).  A new field called SQR_ARA will appear in the polygon shapefile.  This is a numeric field 18 characters in width with 4 characters to the right of the decimal point.  Based upon the setting of the data storage units property, the area will be stored in either acres (US) or hectares (SI).

 

3.         Modification to the GetGraphicTag script for increased speed in determining which point feature is associated with a graphic text element.  This modification effect the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| and the Transformation tool when processing graphic text elements.

 

4.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| in the display of the direction of the blue arrow when a curve element is selected.  Previously, the direction would reflect the radial direction.  Now, the direction of the blue arrow will reflect the tangential direction of the curve.

 

5.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| in the display of the direction of the blue arrow when a curve element is selected.  Previously, the direction would reflect the radial direction.  Now, the direction of the blue arrow will reflect the tangential direction of the curve.

 

6.         Addition of the Relocation 7 command |MOV PT/PRJ/LN| to handle the relocation of point and two point line features to their projection upon another line or curve feature.  New features are not created by this command, but rather, existing features are relocated to their projection upon a user-selected line or curve feature.  Polyline features are not processed by this command.  Once activated, the user selects the line or curve feature upon which user-selected point and two point line features will be projected onto.  Following this, the user is able to make a single pick or define a rectangle to identify the feature(s) to be processed.  In the case of two point lines the endpoint closest to the initially selected line or curve feature controls the relocation.

 

7.         Modification to the Transformation tool when processing graphic text elements.  The tool has been modified for increased speed in determining which point feature a graphic text element is attached to, if any.  In conjunction with this modification, the user needs to create an index on the PNTN field (attribute) for all point themes which contain CEDRA text elements.  Typically these types of themes will carry the tx.shp extension.  Normal ArcView functionality can be used to create the index.  Note the index must be created in order to realize the improvement in performance.  If not, only a slight performance improvement will be recognized.

 

8.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| in the display of the direction of the blue arrow when a polyline element is selected.  Previously, the direction would reflect the polyline's start to end point direction.  Now, the direction of the blue arrow will reflect the direction of the first or last course of the polyline, depending upon, which end point of the polyline is closest to the pick that was made to select the polyline.

 

9.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| in the display of the direction of the blue arrow when a polyline element is selected.  Previously, the direction would reflect the polyline's start to end point direction.  Now, the direction of the blue arrow will reflect the direction of the first or last course of the polyline, depending upon, which end point of the polyline is closest to the pick that was made to select the polyline.

 

10.       Addition of the extension, CEDRA-PolyTools (Version 1.1).  This new extension delivers one menu item call PolyTools, which is comprised of two sub menu items called Generate Parcel Corners and Snap to Points.  Generate Parcel Corners will create point elements at the keypoints of selected polygons.  Keypoints are defined as the endpoints of the line and curve segments which comprise a polygon.  That is to say, the command examines a polygon and determines which segments in the polygon form a line and which form a curve, afterwards, the command creates point features at the respective endpoints.  No duplicate points will be created by this command.  Snap to Points moves vertices of a polygon to the location of a point feature if a polygon vertex is within a user-specified distance.  The user selects which points are to be processed, afterwhich, the command determines which polygons are close to the selected points.  The command then determines which vertices of the polygons are within the user-specified tolerance.  If a vertex is within the tolerance, the vertex is relocated and the shape of the polygon updated.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9l

 

1.         Modification to the Relocation 7 command |MOV LNPT| to handle the relocation of curve endpoints.  Previously, if a curve element was encountered the command would simply relocate the appropriate point in the polyline, that represented the curve.  Now the command regenerates the curve based upon the new location specified by the user.  As such, the radius of the curve is recomputed and all of the curve properties (arc length, chord length, central angle, etc.) change accordingly.

 

2.         Modification to the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 1.7).  A new command has been added that enables the user to modify a course or side of a polyline or polygon.  The Change Feature Side command appears below the Change Feature's Shape tool.  The two tools appear in the form of a tool menu.  The Change Feature Side command first prompts the user to select the polyline or polygon feature that is to be modified.  The user is then asked to select the feature that which a side or course of the initial feature that was selected is to resemble.  The feature that is selected second must be attached to the initial feature.  That is, the end points of the second feature must touch or share two vertex coordinates of the initial feature.  The command determines which vertex points are in common and substitutes the points comprising the second feature for the points between the shared vertices of the initial feature.  Using this command, the user is able to change a side in a polygon from a straight line into a curve, and vice versa.

 

3.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| when using the Point and Auto-Search option.  The Yes/No message box displayed to the okay to pursue this path query has been changed to a Yes/No/Cancel message box.  If the Cancel button is selected, the command terminates displaying the possible paths and immediately asks for confirmation of the string.

 

4.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| when using the Point and Auto-Search option.  The command will now query the user if the direction of the seed element is to be reversed if confirmation of the string is not made.  In so doing it is possible for the user to have the program search for connecting elements in a direction opposite of the seed element's direction.  Previously, the user had to reverse the direction of the seed element.

 

5.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.6, to handle strings when using the ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION command.  Previously, the ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION command would only handle numeric expressions.  That is, the result of the equation had to yield a numeric value.  The ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION command can now be used to develop a string.  In this mode the plus sign (+) operator can be used to concatenate individual strings to form an overall string.  In addition, a new function called STRING has been added.  The STRING function can be used in conjunction with the ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION command to inform the extension that a field should be treated as a string and not a numeric.  Since it is possible to store numbers in string (character) fields, the STRING function allows the user to specify that a field contains string values and not numeric values.  If the STRING function is not used, the values for a field will be treated as numbers.  Furthermore, if the user wishes to explictly enter a hard-coded string, the user should enclose the string in double-quotes (").  In example number 2 below, the fields (attributes) PIN1, PIN2 and PIN3 are separated by a single dash.  There is no limit to the number of characters that can appear between the double quotes.

 

            The following illustrates the correct syntax for sample equations that develop strings.  Note that PIN1, PIN2 and PIN3 represent sample attributes (fields).

 

            1.         STRING(PIN1)+STRING(PIN2)

            2.         STRING(PIN1)+"-"+STRING(PIN2)+"-"+STRING(PIN3)

            3.         "My String = "+STRING(PIN1)+"000"+STRING(PIN2)+"-"+STRING(PIN3)+"00"

 

6.         Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| to handle the insertion of new vertices on multi-part features (polylines and polygons).  Previously, the command would not properly insert a new vertex in a multi-part feature.

 

7.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.6, to allow the user to use the wildcard character (*) when specifying the theme name in the Theme Attribute Data File.  Previously, the theme name had to be defined explicitly.  That is, the theme name had to be identical to how it appeared in the Table of Contents.  Now the user is able to use the wildcard character (*) so that multiple themes, which share common attributes and a common naming convention, can be specified with a single configuration.  For example, a view could contain three themes called ThemeA.shp, ThemeB.shp and ThemeC.shp.  The user, in this situation, could identify all three themes by entering Theme*.shp below the THEME command in the Theme Attribute Data File.  Likewise, if the themes shared a common prefix the user could enter Theme*, which would indicate that all themes beginning with the string Theme would be applied the configuration that appeared in the Theme Attribute Data File.

 

8.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Convert Graphic Text] command to properly compute the text angle and store the angle in terms of degrees.  Previously, the command would convert the text angle from radians into degrees when the text angle was already in degrees.

 

9.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Convert Graphic Text] command in terms of performance when processing large number of graphic text elements.  The command should now execute much faster when dealing with a large number of graphic text elements.  The script icfilstx has been modified to not issue the .GetNumRecords request when the attribute table is in edit mode.  This allows the command to run faster.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 1.9, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when adjusting a closed or open traverse on a Windows XP system.  Previously, the adjustment would take much longer than it should have.  Now, the adjustment operates as quickly as it should, regardless of the type of Windows system in use.

 

11.       Modification to the icfilspg script to store the area of a polygon in terms of acres (hectares).  A new field called SQR_ARA will appear in the polygon primitive shapefile.  This is a numeric field 18 characters in width with 4 characters to the right of the decimal point.  Based upon the setting of the data storage units property, the area will be stored in either acres (US) or hectares (SI).

 

12.       Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.7, to check if a field can be editted prior to writing to the field.  Previously, the extension would write to a field without performing this check, which would result in an attempt to edit read-only field error message.  Now the extension, first checks, if the field can be modified prior to writing any information to a field.

 

13.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command when processing a line shapefile in order to create point features at the endpoints of the lines in the shapefile.  The command will now ignore line features that have a zero length value.  Previously, invalid line features (lines that had no length or distance) would cause the command to "hang".

 

14.       Modification to the Tangent Curve 2 command |T-ARC/R/A| to allow the user the ability to create a tangent curve by entering an arc length or a radius in addition to a central angle.  Previously, this command would only create a tangent curve when a radius and central angle were specified.  Now the user has the option of entering (a) a radius and a central angle, or (b) an arc length and a central angle.

 

15.       Modification to the Tangent Curve 4 command |T-ARC/R/CDL| to allow the user the ability to specify a non-tangent curve by specifying a chord or radial direction and any two of the following (a) radius, (b) chord length, (c) arc length, or (d) central angle.  A radial direction is defined as proceeding from the curve start point to its center.  In addition, the user is able to generate short or long curves.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

16.       Addition of a new property to the ASCII file, CONFIG.TXT, located in the CEDRA distribution directory, which enables the user to apply an angle adjustment to any angle that is explicitly entered by the user.  This property can be set to 0 or 1.  A value of 0 denotes no angle adjustment is to be performed.  This is the default setting.  A value of 1 denotes that the South Dakota Type 1 equation is to be applied.  Consult the [AVcad online Help] for more information.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9k

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command to enable the user to create two-point line features based upon vertex coordinates.  A new option called Line Coordinate File - 3 has been added to the File Type pull-down list that is presented by the command.  The Line Coordinate File - 3 option, enables the user to process a file that contains a sequential list of point coordinates, which are to be connected in series.  This option creates lines using coordinate pairs.  That is, once the option has two points it creates a line.  For example, the points contained on data lines 1 and 2 form the first line.  The points contained on data lines 2 and 3 form the second line, while the points contained on data lines 3 and 4 form the third line and so forth.  As can be seen, the end point of the previous line acts as the start point of the subsequent line.  In addition, if the user wishes to copy the attributes of the points into the line theme that is created, the command will store the attributes of both points that define the line.  The two character extension _S is added to the field name to indicate that the information in this field pertains to the first or start point that defines the line.

 

2.         Modification to the Transformation tool when using the option Set Graphic Text Angle (Explicit), this option will now display the text angle of the selected graphic text element, according to the setting of the direction property, as the default value in the appropriate data field.  For example, if the direction property is set to bearings, the default value that will appear in the bearing data field will be the current text angle of the selected graphic text element.  Should the user wish to enter a text angle in a form other than that as specified by the direction property, the user can simply enter the desired value in the appropriate data field and enter a blank in the other data field.

 

3.         Modification to the Transformation tool when using the option Set Graphic Text Angle (Explicit), this option will now process more than one selected graphic text element.  Previously, this option only processed a single selected graphic text element.  This option will now process all of the selected graphic text elements.  This default text angle that is displayed is the text angle for the first selected graphic text element that is found.

 

4.         Modification to the Transformation tool when using the option Set Graphic Text Angle (2 Pts), this option will now treat baseline angles that are between 270 and 274 degrees as if they were between 90 and 94 degrees.  In so doing, the graphic text elements will be pointing upward and not downward.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9j

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.5, to display the BACK button immediately below the CANCEL button, when multiple pages are displayed.  The BACK button enables the user to return to the previous page that was displayed.  Previously, there was no way for the user to back up or return to a page that was previously displayed.  Now the user can use the OK button to advance one page and the BACK button to return to the previous page.  Note that the BACK button will not appear on the first page of a multi-page set.

 

2.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.5, to support the ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION command.  This new command enables the user to have the value for an attribute calculated by evaluating a user-defined equation, as opposed to direct user entry.  Immediately below the ATTRIBUTE_EQUATION the user enters on a single line the desired equation.  Equations are solved proceeding left to right resolving expressions within parentheses first.  When parentheses are nested they are resolved inside to outside.  That is, the inner most set of parentheses are solved first, then the next inner most and so forth.  When there are more then one nests of parentheses, each nest is resolved inside to outside and from left to right.  The user is able to use parentheses to ensure that the desired sequence of calculations is performed

 

            The supported Mathematical operators include:

 

            1.         ^                      = Exponentiation,

            2.         /                       = Division,

            3.         *                      = Multiplication,

            4.         +                      = Addition,

            5.         -                       = Subtraction.

 

            The supported Boolean operators include:

 

            1.         =                      = Equality,

            2.         <                      = Less than,

            3.         >                      = Greater than,

            4.         <=                    = Less than or equal to,

            5.         >=                    = Greater than or equal to,

            6.         <>                    = Not equal to.

 

            The supported Functions include:

 

            1.         ABS                = absolute value of a number,

            2.         ACOS             = arc cosine of a number expressed in radians,

            3.         ASIN               = arc sine of a number expressed in radian,

            4.         ATAN             = arc tangent of a number expressed in radians,

            5.         COS                = cosine of a number expressed in decimal degrees,

            6.         DEG2RAD     = conversion of degrees to radians,

            7.         RAD2DEG     = conversion of radians to degrees,

            8.         ROUND         = rounding up of a number to the nearest whole number,

            9.         SIN                 = sine of a number expressed in decimal degrees,

            10.       SQRT             = square root of a number greater than zero,

            11.       TAN                = tangent of a number expressed in decimal degrees,

            12.       TRUNCATE  = truncation of a number.

 

            The user is also able to employ the IF( conditional to add decision making functionality into the equation evaluation process.  When using the IF( conditional, the user specifies an expression, a true condition and a false condition.  As such, the command evaluates the expression so that either a true or a false condition exists.  The true or false condition that the user specifies is then applied.

 

            The following illustrates the correct syntax for sample equations.  Note that J2, K2, P2, R2, Q2, M2, L2, S2 and N2 represent sample attributes (fields).

 

            1.         J2-K2

            2.         29.8*P2*R2*Q2^2*SQRT(M2)

            3.         ((J2-20)/L2)^0.54*N2

            4.         S2*N2

            5.         IF(Q2=2.5,0.9,IF(Q2=4.5,0.78,IF(Q2=1.9,0.97,IF(Q2=2.5,(Q2^-0.092*1.0808),4.0))))

            6.         DEG2RAD(ACOS(0.5))

            7.         ASIN(0.75)

            8.         ATAN(0.35)

            9.         SIN(30)

            10.       COS(60)

            11.       TAN(45)

            12.       ROUND(4.75)

            13.       TRUNCATE(4.75)

 

            It is noted that in the sample equations above there are no leading, trailing or embedded blank spaces.  However, such blank spaces may be introduced if deemed necessary for the sake of clarity.  If so, they will be disregarded by the program.

 

3.         Modification to the Tangent Curve 4 command |T-ARC/R/CDL| to allow the user the ability to specify the non-tangent curve's arc length or central angle, in addition to the chord length.  Previously, the user could create a non-tangent curve only by specifying the radius, chord direction and chord length.  Now, the user has the option of specifying the chord length, arc length or central angle in addition to the radius and chord direction.  Two new data lines appear in the multi-input dialog box that is displayed by the command.  These data lines provide for the entry of the non-tangent curve's arc length or central angle.  Note that the user need only specify the chord length, arc length or central angle.  That is to say, only one of these three parameters needs to be entered.  Depending upon what information is available, the user can enter the appropriate value.

 

4.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 1.8, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when using the options Pick POB & Transcribe Deed or Pick POC & Transcribe Deed.  Two new options, F and G, have been incorporated into the parcel course data entry dialog box.  These options enable the user to define non-tangent curves specifying chord direction, radius and arc length (F), or chord direction, radius and central angle (G).  Previously, the user could only define a non-tangent curve by specifying the chord direction, radius and chord length (B).  Now the user has three available options to define a non-tangent curve.

 

5.         Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| to handle the relocation of graphic text elements.  Previously, this command would only handle features that were stored in shapefiles.  Now the command enables the user to relocate a graphic text element.  If the graphic text element is associated with a feature in a shapefile, the database will be updated to reflect the new position of the graphic text element.  In addition, the graphic text element's properties will be updated.  That is, the font properties (font name and style), text orientation and the text of the graphic text element will be updated in the shapefile.  Note, if native ArcView functionality is used to move or modify a graphic text, this command should be used to update the database if the graphic text element is associated with a feature in a shapefile.  In this case the user can simply select the graphic text element and pick the same point that was used to select the graphic text element.  In so doing the graphic text element will not be moved but the database behind the graphic text element will be updated.

 

6.         Modification to the Relocation 2 command |MOV CVPT| to handle curves whose central angle exceeds 180 degrees.  Previously, the command would not properly handle the relocation of curve keynodes when the central angle of the curve exceeded 180 degrees.

 

7.         Modification to the Relocation 3 command |EXT/ELE/PT| when displaying the direction arrow for polyline and curve features.  Previously, the direction arrow would reflect the chord direction.

 

8.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Convert Graphic Text] command to store the font name and style (italic/bold) in the database.  Previously, this was not stored.  Now when a graphic text element or a group of graphic text elements are converted the font name and style properties will be stored in the database (shapefile).  So that if the {Text Properties} [Generate Text from Table] command is used to recreate the graphic text element, the graphic text element that is created will properly reflect the original graphic text element.

 

9.         Modification to the Transformation tool.  Three new options have been added to the pull-down list that is presented by the command.  The new options include Set Graphic Text Angle (2 Pts), Set Graphic Text Angle (Pick Line) and Set Graphic Text Angle (Explicit).  These new options provide the user the ability to set the angle of inclination for a graphic text element.  In addition, these options will update the database if the graphic text element is associated with a feature in a shapefile.  Note that the options Set Graphic Text Angle (2 Pts) and Set Graphic Text Angle (Pick Line) will offset the graphic text element from the implied two point or picked line using the value for the annotation offset parameter under the [Change Text Properties] command.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9i

 

1.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.4, in which the DEFAULT command has been modified to support the keycodes RETURN_LENGTH, RETURN_AREA and RETURN_AREA_UNITS.  These commands will use as the default value for an attribute: (a) the length or perimeter of a feature (RETURN_LENGTH), (b) the area of a feature in square feet or square meters (RETURN_AREA) or (c) the area of a feature in acres or hectares (RETURN_AREA_UNITS).  To use these keycodes, the user simply enters the appropriate keycode after the DEFAULT command with at least one space separating the two items.  As an example, the user could enter DEFAULT  RETURN_AREA to have the DataEditor extension compute and display the area of a feature, in square feet or square meters, as the default value for an attribute.

 

2.         Addition of the CEDRA-UndoEdits extension, Version 1.1, which when used with the CEDRA-DataEditor extension enables the user to utilize the CEDRA-DataEditor extension without loading the AVcogo extension.  In so doing, the CEDRA-DataEditor can operate in a stand-alone environment.

 

3.         Modification to the Echo 3 command |ECHO ANGLE| to display the arc lengths that are associated with the interior and exterior angles.  The arc lengths are computed using the distance between the first two picks made by the user.  These picks represent the start point of the arc and the center of the arc, respectively.  The arc lengths will appear in the status bar following the display of the angle and are prefixed with the label ARC=.

 

4.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| to handle arcs whose central angles exceed 180 degrees.  Previously, this command would not properly break a curve when the central angle of the curve was greater than 180 degrees.

 

5.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Classifications] command to not only check the label that is assigned to a class but also the range of a class in order to maintain the symbology and labels used in a classification.  Previously, only the label was checked which would not handle the case of  a theme being classified on a field of numeric type and with labels that are strings.  This modification provides a stronger methodology of ensuring that the same symbols and labels that appear in a legend are maintained when the theme is reclassified.  This command is very useful when the user adds or deletes features in a theme that has a customzied legend.  In this case, the legend in the Table of Contents is not updated by ArcView to reflect the addition or deletion of the feature.  The [Update Classifications] command, however, can be used to refresh or update the legend to properly reflect the addition or deletion of the feature.

 

6.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Generate Text from Table] command for increased performance in terms of speed.  That is to say, the command will now create text primitives significantly faster.  The command will also display the time at which processing began and terminated in the status bar area.  In so doing, the user is able to determine how long it took to generate the text primitives.

 

7.         Modification to the icfilstx script to store the name of the font in addition to the other pertinent text primitive attributes (such as height, width, etc.).  A new field called NAME will appear in the text primitive shapefile.  This is a string or character type field with a maximum width of 80 characters.  The Text Panel within the Symbol Window can be used to define the current active font.

 

8.         Modification to the icfilstx script to store the font type style of the text primitive being created.  The font type style pertains to whether the font is normal or italic and whether it is bold or normal.  The ITAL field contains a numeric value denoting if the font is normal (ITAL = 1) or italic (ITAL = 2).  The MODE field, likewise, contains a numeric value denoting if the font is normal (MODE = 1) or bold (MODE = 3).

 

9.         Modification to the icfilstx script to store the color of the text primitive being created.  A numeric value corresponding to the color index value is stored under the COLR field.  Color index values begin at zero and are incremented sequentially by one.  The color index value can be determined by reviewing the Color Panel within the Symbol Window.  In the Color Panel there will be several rows and columns of different colors.  Color Index 0 represents column one of row one.  Proceeding left to right on a row by row basis, the color index values increment by one.  So that, the color index value of the sixth column of row one is 5 (typically the color black).  Likewise, the color index value of the first column of row two is 6.

 

10.       Modification to the {Text Properties} [Generate Text from Table] command to use the current active font, as defined in Text Panel within the Symbol Window, when creating text primitives.  The exception to this is when the table that is being processed contains a font name.  The font name is stored under the NAME field.  If this field exists, the font appearing in this field will be used and not the current active font.

 

11.       Modification to the Relocation 3 command |EXT/ELE/PT| to display an arrow denoting the direction in which the endpoint will be moved if a positive value is specified.

 

12.       Modification to the Transformation tool.  Two new options have been added to the pull-down list that is presented by the command.  The new options include Move Selected Features (dx,dy) and Move Selected Features (dir,dist).  These new options provide the user the ability to move a feature or a group of selected features either (a) along the x and y axes a user-specified amount, or (b) along a direction a user-specified distance.

 

13.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Resize Windows] command to provide the user the ability to save a view by specifying an alphanumeric identifier, as well as, return to a view by specifying the view's alphanumeric identifier.  In so doing, the user is able to name specific views and then return to them by specifying their name.  A table called UserViews is created by the command and it will contain all of the views that the user has saved.

 

14.       Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 1.7, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| when using the options Pick POB & Transcribe Deed or Pick POC & Transcribe Deed.  A new parameter called Zoom Scale factor has been added to the course dialog box.  This parameter allows the user to zoom in or out of the current view.  A value greater than 1 will zoom in, while a value greater than 0 and less than 1 will zoom out.

 

15.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Zoom Scale Factor] command to remain active until the user selects the Cancel button.  In so doing, the user is able to alter the display of the view without having to reselect the command.

 

16.       Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension, Version 1.7, the Define Parcels command |DEFINE PARCEL| is now able to adjust open traverses.  Previously, only closed traverses could be adjusted.  Now the user is able to perform an adjustment on an open traverse (a string of features that do not form a closed figure).

 

17.       Modification to the Point 4 command |PLUS/OF|, Point 12 command |PLUS/OF|, Point 13 command |P PT/LN|, and Point 14 command |P&O CUV| to provide the user the ability to specify a starting station value.  When a starting station value has been specified, the plus value that is used in computing the point is the difference between the plus value entered by the user and the starting station value.  For example, if the starting station value is 1000 and the plus value entered by the user is 1400, the command would use 400 in computing the coordinates of the point.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9h

 

1.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Text or Attribute] command to enable the user to create annotation or text for multiple fields in a single operation.  A new option called Attribute(s) from the Table has been added to the choice message box that is displayed by the command. When creating text for certain fields in a database, the user should first select the feature or features that are to be processed.  Once selected, the [Text or Attribute] command can be activated followed by selecting the Attribute(s) from the Table option. The user will then be asked to identify the field or fields that are to be used in the generation of text.  Upon completion of the field identification, a dialog box will be displayed. On a row by row basis, the field or fields selected by the user will be listed. The default order of the fields will correspond to their order in the database. The user, at this point, can control the order of the text by selecting the appropriate field from the Attribute pull-down list. The order in which the fields are listed in the dialog box will reflect the order in which the text is listed on the map.  For each field in which text is to be created, the user is able to control the font, font style and font size that is used in creating the text. Any true-type font installed on the computer is available to the user for selection. In addition, the user is able to specify a prefix and/or suffix to the text.  Once created, the user has the ability to reposition the text to eliminate any overlap or interferences, if any, using any of the available relocation tools.  The [Text or Attribute] command will process Point, Line and Polygon features and always lists the text in a vertical fashion. Users involved with surveying or engineering applications will find this command an ideal tool for labeling curve data, while those involved with marketing or business applications will find this command extremely helpful in transferring database information onto a map.

 

2.         Modification to the format of the strings stored under the AZIMUTH and BEARING attributes for line and curve primitives.  Previously, the directions stored under these two fields would contain the degrees, minutes and seconds values separated by a single space or blank character.  Now the degree, minute and second symbols separate the components of the direction.

 

3.         Modification to the CEDRA-DataEditor extension, Version 1.3, in which (a) the width of the dialog box has been increased, (b) the DataEditor tool has been converted into a tool menu and (c) the addition of the REMEMBER_LAST command.  The CEDRA-DataEditor extension now consists of a tool menu that is comprised of 3 individual tools.  The first is the DataEditor tool, previously available, which allows the user to edit specific attributes that are associated with a feature.  The two new tools that have been added enable the user to (a) reload the Theme Attribute Data File from within ArcView and (b) delete selected features that exist within the user-defined themes.  Should the features that are to be deleted have associated tables related to them, the corresponding records in the associated tables will also be deleted.  The new command REMEMBER_LAST allows the user to use the last value that was assigned to an attribute as the default value for an attribute, provided that the current value for the attribute is blank, for a character type field, or 0, for a numeric type field.

 

4.         Addition of a new size option to the {AVcogo Tools} [Resize Application] menu item.  This new option appears at the top of the list of predefined sizes and enables the user to see the task bar concurrently with the ArcView application.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9g

 

1.         Addition of the CEDRA-DataEditor extension which enables the user to interactively edit the attributes associated with a feature.  When loaded, the CEDRA-DataEditor extension adds one tool to the View document toolbar, which is referred to as the Edit Feature Attributes tool.  This tool enables the user to select a feature (point, line, curve or polygon) and edit the attributes that are associated with the feature.  A multi-input dialog box is displayed containing the feature's attributes.  The user can control which attributes are displayed and their order by modifying the file themes.txt which is located in the CEDRA distribution directory, for PC based users typically \cedra\avprjs.  The file themes.txt contains a list of themes and the attributes within the theme which are available to the user for editting with the Edit Feature Attributes tool.  If a feature is selected that belongs to a theme, which does not appear in the themes.txt file, the user has the option of copying the feature into a theme, of the same feature type, that does appear in the themes.txt file.  When loaded, the CEDRA-DataEditor extension searches the current working directory for the themes.txt file.  If this file does not exist in the current working directory, the CEDRA distribution directory is searched.  In so doing, the user is able to create different themes.txt files for different projects, which the user is involved with, by storing in different directories the various themes.txt files.  If the themes.txt file does not exist in the CEDRA distribution directory, an error message will be displayed and the user will not be able to use the Edit Feature Attributes tool.  If the themes.txt file is modified while the extension is loaded, the user will need to exit ArcView and reload the project file in order for the modifications to the themes.txt file to be available to the user.  That is to say, the themes.txt file is read only once, and it is when the extension is initially loaded.  It is recommended that the user copy the themes.txt file from the CEDRA distribution directory into a working directory and modify the file as desired.  Any word processor or text editor can be used to modify the themes.txt file.  Instructions on how the file should be structured are included in the file.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

2.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| when using the R option to compute the coordinates of the point so as to coincide with the direction of the blue arrow.  Previously, the point that was created was based upon a direction that was opposite (180 degrees out of phase) of that shown by the blue direction arrow.  This situation only occurred when the user selected a line or curve feature, with the pick that was made to select the feature being closer to the feature's start point.  If the pick that was made to select the feature was closer to the endpoint of the feature, the point that would be generated would coincide with the direction of the blue arrow.

 

3.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| when using the R option to compute the coordinates of the line endpoint so as to coincide with the direction of the blue arrow.  Previously, the line endpoint coordinates that were computed were based upon a direction that was opposite (180 degrees out of phase) of that shown by the blue direction arrow.  This situation only occurred when the user selected a line or curve feature, with the pick that was made to select the feature being closer to the feature's start point.  If the pick that was made to select the feature was closer to the endpoint of the feature, the line endpoint coordinates that were computed would coincide with the direction of the blue arrow.

 

4.         Modification to the extension to allow the user to enter a Bearing direction even though the user is prompted for an Azimuth or Cartesian direction.  Whenever, the user is prompted for an Azimuth or Cartesian direction, and the user wishes to enter the direction as a Bearing, the user can do so provided the quadrant identifier is in character form, not numeric.  For example, the user could enter a Bearing of NW 20 45 50.1, or N 20 45 50.1 W.  The normal rules for entering Bearings using the characters, NE, SE, SW, NW, N, S, E or W to identify the quadrant apply.  This modification enables the user to enter a direction in a form different than the setting of the direction property, without having to change the direction property.

 

5.         Modification to the extension to allow the user to enter an Azimuth or Cartesian direction even though the user is prompted for a Bearing direction.  Whenever, the user is prompted for a Bearing direction, and the user wishes to enter the direction as an Azimuth or Cartesian, the user can do so by entering the desired direction preceded by the keycode A or C, denoting an Azimuth or Cartesian direction.  For example, the user could enter a Cartesian direction of C 45, or C 20 45 50.1.  As long as the keycode precedes the value, with at least one space separating the keycode and value, the user is able to enter directions in a form different than the setting of the direction property, without having to change the direction property.

 

6.         Modification to the Relocation 7 command |MOV LNPT| to process point, polyline and polygon features, in addition to two-point line features, if they are selected by the user.  Previously, only two-point line features were processed.  For polyline and polygon features, the command will move the vertex of the feature that is closest to the pick that the user indicates should be moved.  For point features, if the point is close to the pick that the user indicates should be moved, the point will be moved, otherwise, the point is left unaltered.

 

7.         Modification to the routines which handle strings to accommodate curves whose central angles are greater than 180 degrees.  This effects the commands Offset 3 |PAR ELE|, Echo 4 |ECHO AREA| and the Define Parcel tool, which appears when the CEDRA-Deed extension is loaded.  Previously, when a curve with a central angle greater than 180 degrees was encountered the center for the resultant curve would not be properly calculated, which resulted in a distorted figure being created.  This should no longer occur.

 

8.         Addition of three new attributes to the line theme (*ln.shp) called AZIMUTH, BEARING and CARTESIAN which contain the direction of the line in terms of an azimuth, bearing and cartesian direction.  These new attributes are of string or character type.  If these attributes do not appear in your *ln.shp theme, they can be introduced by using the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Geometry] command.  This command checks for the presence of the SLN attribute, if present and if the AZIMUTH, BEARING and CARTESIAN attributes do not exist, the command will automatically add them in.

 

9.         Addition of four new attributes to the curve theme (*cv.shp) called ANG, AZIMUTH, BEARING and CARTESIAN which contain the central angle of the curve as well as the chord direction of the curve in terms of an azimuth, bearing and cartesian direction.  These new attributes are of string or character type.  If these attributes do not appear in your *cv.shp theme, they can be introduced by using the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Geometry] command.  This command checks for the presence of the CUV attribute, if present and if the ANG, AZIMUTH, BEARING and CARTESIAN attributes do not exist, the command will automatically add them in.

 

10.       Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension when using the options Pick POB & Transcribe Deed or Pick POC & Transcribe Deed to allow the user to select a feature that does not reside in one of the CEDRA AVseries themes.  Previously, these options would only process as the starting point a feature that was stored in one of the CEDRA AVseries themes.  Now the starting point can be a feature that resides in any point or line shapefile.

 

11.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Geometry] command when processing features in a curve theme (*cv.shp).  If the RAD attribute value is zero (0.0), the command will replace the zero value with the computed radius value.  The computed radius is a value that the command calculates based upon the shape of the feature.  Previously, the command would leave the attribute unaltered, and as such, the feature would be treated as a polyline rather than as a curve.  In addition, the command will update the values in the ANG, AZIMUTH, BEARING and CARTESIAN fields based upon the computed radius.

 

12.       Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Geometry] command to delete any invalid shapes it encounters.  An invalid shape is defined as a shape that has no geometry associated with it.  Previously, the command would display Avenue error messages and terminate.  Now the command removes the invalid shapes for the user automatically.

 

13.       Modification to the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension to enable the user to generate line segments that represent the sides of the polygons that are created and/or polylines that represent the outline of the polygons that are created.  Two new data items have been added to the multi-input dialog box that the command displays.  By entering Y or N to the appropriate data item, the user indicates whether these features are to be created or not.  The default response to the create polyline data item is Y.  In so doing, the user can continue to perform subdivisions on the polylines that are created.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9f

 

1.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| when processing multi-part features to account for empty parts as well as parts that are comprised of 3D points.  Previously these types of parts were not accounted for and as such Avenue error messages would appear when these types of parts were processed.

 

2.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command to allow the user to have comment lines in the file that is to be processed.  By placing the /* characters in columns 1 and 2 of a data line, the user is able to enter a comment.  Comment lines are ignored by the command and enable the user to make the file more readable.

 

3.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command when using one of the Polygon 1 through 12 formats.  These formats have been expanded to allow the user to define strings and to support the keycodes: NO POLY, POLY, START, END, CHORD, ANGLE and ARC.  Strings may be open or closed figures.  That is, the end point of a string may or may not be the same as the start point of the string.  The NO POLY keycode informs the command that polygon features are not to be created but rather line and curve features are to be created.  Once the NO POLY keycode has been specified it stays in effect until the POLY command appears.  The POLY command indicates that polygon features are to be created.  As such, it is possible for the user to create a file that creates both polygon as well as line and curve features.  If a string is to be created, the NO POLY keycode must appear in the file prior to the definition of the string(s).  Note that if only strings are to be created, the NO POLY keycode needs to appear only once.  The START keycode enables the user to specify the starting point of a polygon or a string to be the start point of a previously defined polygon or string.  Likewise, the END keycode enables the user to specify the starting point of a polygon or string to be the end point of a previously defined polygon or string.  The CHORD, ANGLE, and ARC keycodes enable the user to define tangent curves.  The default curve definition consists of specifying a chord direction, chord length and radius.  The CHORD, ANGLE and ARC keycodes provide the user three new means of defining a curve.  The curves that are created using these keycodes are tangent to the previous course.  A sample file containing comment lines as well as the keycodes mentioned above is shown below:

 

      /*

      /* This is a sample of the Polygon 6 file format

      /*

      /* Comments can be inserted in the file by placing the /*

      /* characters in columns 1 and 2 of a data line

      /*

      /* The special keycodes include the following:

      /*

      /* NO POLY  do not create polygons but rather lines and curves

      /* POLY     create polygons not lines and curves

      /* START    set start point of a polygon or string to be the start point of

      /*          a previously defined polygon or string

      /* END      set start point of a polygon or string to be the end point of

      /*          a previously defined polygon or string

      /* CHORD    tangent curve given chord length and radius

      /* ANGLE    tangent curve given central angle (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) and radius

      /* ARC      tangent curve given arc length and radius

      /*

      /* Command denoting do not create polygons

      /*

      NO POLY

      /*

      /* First String (which happens to be a closed figure) with 10 vertices

      /*

      87831528 4000.0 4000.0 10

      586.77753 SW 88  8 41.7

      402.97627 NW 34  3 58.3

      348.47370 NW  5 12 41.3 361.045

      363.51546 NE 23 38 35.7

      407.47558 NE 74 27  0.8

      /*

      /* Note that you can have comments anywhere in the file

      /*

      282.80400 SE 78  4 28.4 306.486

      270.80277 SE 50 35 57.6

      171.79402 SE 20 29 13.3

      505.86450 SW  8 37 47.6 519.802

      268.99867 SW 37 44 48.5

      /*

      /* Second String comprised of 4 lines and 1 curve defined in a Clockwise direction

      /*

      87831529 5000.0 5000.0 5

      200 NE 00 0 0.0

      200 NE 90 0 0.0

      /*

      /* Curve defined by chord length, chord direction and a radius

      /*

      141.4214 SE 45 0 0 100.0

      -100 NE 0

      -300 NE 90

      /*

      /* Same as string above but defined in a CounterClockwise direction

      /*

      87831530 5000.0 5500.0 5

      300 NE 90

      100 NE 0

      /*

      /* Negative radius denotes CounterClockwise direction

      /* Positive radius denotes Clockwise direction

      /*

      141.4214 NW 45 0 0 -100.0

      -200 NE 90 0 0.0

      -200 NE 00 0 0.0

      /*

      /* Single line starting at known coordinates

      /*

      87831531 5500.0 5500.0 1

      300 NE 90

      /*

      /* Single line starting at the end point of the string defined above

      /*

      87831532 END 87831531 1

      -300 NE 00

      /*

      /* Command denoting create polygons not line and curve features

      /*

      POLY

      /*

      /* Polygon starting at the start point of a string

      /*

      87831533 START 87831532 5

      100 NE 00

      300 NE 90

      100 NE 00

      -300 NE 90

      -100 NE 00

      /*

      /* Command denoting do not create polygons

      /*

      NO POLY

      /*

      /* String with tangent curve defined by arc length and radius

      /*

      87831534 5300 5900 5

      -300 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      ARC 78.540 50

      250 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      /*

      /* String with tangent curve defined by chord length and radius

      /*

      87831535 5700 5900  5

      -300 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      CHORD 70.7108 50

      250 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      /*

      /* String with tangent curve defined by central angle and radius

      /*

      87831536 6100 5900  5

      -300 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      /*

      /* Central angle specified in degrees, minutes and seconds

      /*

      ANGLE 90 0 0 50

      250 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      /*

      /* Same three strings above but defined in a CounterClockwise direction

      /*

      87831537 5000 4700 5

      300 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      ARC 78.540 -50

      -250 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      /*

      87831538 5400 4700  5

      300 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      CHORD 70.7108 -50

      -250 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      /*

      87831539 5800 4700  5

      300 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      ANGLE 90 0 0 -50

      -250 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      /*

      /* String with Reverse Curves

      /*

      87831533 END 87831532 12

      250 NE 90

      ANGLE 90 0 0 50

      ANGLE 90 0 0 -50

      100 NE 90

      -100 NE 0

      -200 NE 90

      50 NE 0

      ANGLE 90 0 0 -50

      ANGLE 90 0 0 50

      -100 NE 90

      ANGLE 90 0 0 50

      /*

      /* End of the sample File

      /*

 

4.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command when processing a line shapefile in order to create point features at the endpoints of the lines in the shapefile.  The command will now create two fields called FNODE_ and TNODE_ in the selected line shapefile.  The values stored in these fields reflect the from and to node numbers and correspond to the NODENO attribute associated with the points that are created.  The field definition for these two new attributes are #FIELD_LONG,12,0.

 

5.         Addition of the CEDRA-Deed extension which enables the user to transcribe deed data.  When this extension is loaded a new option called String/Polygon is added to the choice message box that is presented by the Line 2 tool, |LINE MULT/PT|.  This new option is referred to as the Define Parcel command.  Consult the [AVcad online Help] for more information.

 

6.         Modification to the CEDRA-Deed extension when a non-closed parcel has been defined.  A new option called Generate Line/Curve Features has been added to the choice message box that is presented by the Define Parcel command when a figure whose start and end points are not identical has been defined.  This option enables the user to  create individual line and curve features that represent the courses which the user has defined.  By using this new functionality the user is able to define strings or alignments with the Define Parcel's multi-input dialog box, which allows the user to define line and curve features sequentially with a single command.

 

7.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| when using the Point and Auto-Search option.  This option will now query the user for confirmation of the seed element.  Previously the command would use the first element that it found.  Now the command will highlight the element and ask the user for confirmation.  If the user responds NO, the command will search for another element, if one is found, the confirmation process is repeated.  If no other element can be found, an error message is displayed and the command terminates.

 

8.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [AVcogo Properties] command to allow the user to specify the units in which data is to be stored as well as entered.  Previously, all data was stored and entered in the same units of measure.  Now the user is able to store data in one units of measure and enter it in another.  For example, data can be stored in US units of measure but entered in SI or Metric units of measure.  That is to say, data can be stored in feet but entered in meters.  This is useful in data conversion applications where Metric plans are being processed with the overall database in US units of measure.  By using this new functionality, the user can enter the SI values and have the various commands perform the conversion into US units for the user.  Naturally, the reverse of the example described above is possible.

 

9.         Addition of the {AVcogo Tools} [Sort Table of Contents] command which allows the user to sort or rearrange the themes that appear in the View's Table of Contents.  Upon activation, the user is presented with a choice message box containing five options, (a) ASCENDING, (b) DESCENDING, (c) MOVE ACTIVE THEMES TO TOP, (d) MOVE ACTIVE THEMES TO BOTTOM and (e) MOVE ACTIVE THEMES BELOW THEME.  As the names of the options indicate, the user can (1) sort the Table of Contents such that (a) the themes appear alphabetically in an ascending order, or (b) the themes appear alphabetically in a descending order, or (2) rearrange the Table of Contents by moving the active themes (c) to the top of the Table of Contents, (d) to the bottom of the Table of Contents, or (e) below the location of another theme which the user specifies.  This command is very useful when the Table of Contents contains many themes which when using normal ArcView functionality, rearranging the Table of Contents can be tedious.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9e

 

1.         Modification to the extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures (Version 1.4), which is included with the distribution software.  The two commands within this extension will now query the user if the common attributes of the selected features are to be updated in addition to changing their shapes.  This query is presented just prior to changing the shape of the selected feature(s).  A YesNoCancel message box is displayed.  If the Cancel button is selected the commands will abort without changing the shape or the attributes of the selected features.  If the No button is selected the commands will only change the shape of the selected features.  If the Yes button is selected, the commands will change not only the shape of the selected features but also all of the common attributes.  A common attribute is defined as a field which not only has the same name but is also of the same type.

 

2.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| when encountering small segments during the Point and Auto-Search operation.  Previously when a small segment was encountered nothing special was done.  As such, depending upon the view it was sometimes very difficult, if not impossible, to determine the exact path that was being highlighted.  The search engine used by this command has now been changed to alter the display of the view when (a) encountering small segments and (b) when a feature falls outside of the current view.  In so doing the user is now able to easily determine which path is being displayed during the Point and Auto-Search operation.  Upon confirmation of the path, one way or the other, the display of the view is changed back to its original state.  A small segment is defined as one which has a length that is less than 1.5 times the snap tolerance value.  If the snap tolerance is defined as a percentage of the view, then this value changes in accord with the view.  This modification also effects all other commands that utilize the Point and Auto-Search search engine.

 

3.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Flip/Reverse Lines] command to redraw the view upon completion of the command's processing.  Previously the view was not redrawn, so that if the features which were flipped were drawn in a direction oriented linestyle (such as with arrow heads), the effect of the command would not be immediately realized graphically.

 

4.         Modification to the Relocation 6 command |BRK LINE| when processing multi-part features.  A multi-part feature is defined as a single record in a theme that is actually comprised of multiple shapes.  The state of Hawaii is an example of a multi-part feature.  All of the islands that make up the state of Hawaii are treated as a single feature.  When a multi-part feature is selected, the command will now ask the user if individual features are to be created for each of the parts.  A YesNoCancel message box is displayed.  Selecting the Cancel button will abort the command.  Selecting the No button will force the command to process the first part in the multi-part feature.  When a multi-part feature is broken it no longer will remain a multi-part feature.  The first part will be broken at the specified break point and the remainder of the first part will be combined with the other parts forming a second feature.  Only line features can be broken.  A curve is actually a line feature with a radius attribute and as such the user can break curves.  Selecting the Yes button will force the program to create a new feature for each part comprising the multi-part feature.  The new features that are created are stored in the current active layer.  The original multi-part feature is left unaltered.  The ability to create new features representing the parts of multi-part features applies to ArcView multi-point, line and polygon feature types.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9d

 

1.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| when creating a polygon or a polyline from a base string that forms a closed figure.  An internal script has been changed which reduces the small segment value from 0.9 to 0.4.  As a result of this modification, all segments whose length is less than or equal to 0.4 units will be disregarded or ignored during the processing.  Small segments are ignored because most data is in real world coordinates (large values), and as such, small segment lengths are treated as erroneous data.

 

2.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| to better account for colinear line segments, particularly in the case when the colinear lines straddle due north.  This modification will be noticed only if the user has specified that colinear sides are to be removed.

 

3.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| to allow the user the ability to define a two-point baseline when a point feature has been selected as the base element.  To do so, the user simply enters y to the Pick Two Point Baseline parameter displayed in the multi-input message box.  Previously, the user was not able to do so.

 

4.         Ability to customize the default values for certain AVcogo properties such as the Units of Measure, Angular Form, Direction Form, Text Size, Annotation Offset and more.  An ASCII file called CONFIG.TXT, located in the CEDRA distribution directory, contains a list of the AVcogo properties that can be customized by the user.  A single data line appears for every property available to the user.  On each data line the property value appears first followed by a comment describing the propery.  The comment begins with the /* characters and describes the property along with the possible values for the property.  The user may employ any word processor or text editor to customize the CONFIG.TXT file.  All that needs to be done by the user is to enter the desired property value on the appropriate data line.  The user does not need to modify the comment that appears on a data line but rather should review the comment for information describing the property being defined and its allowable values.  This file is read when the extension is loaded.

 

5.         Modification to all tools which prompt the user for a distance or a length.  It is now possible for the user to specify the distance or length value in terms of varas, chains or rods.  To do so, the user appends the keycode v or vf for varas, c or gc for chains or r for rods after the value.  A space, comma or tab must separate the value from the keycode.  The keycode v denotes that 1 vara = 33.333 inches (state of Texas), while the keycode vf denotes that 1 vara = 33.372 inches (state of Florida).  The keycode c denotes that 1 chain = 100 feet as per the Engineer's Ramden's convention, while the keycode gc denotes that 1 chain = 66 feet as per the Surveyor's Gunter's convention.  The keycode r denotes that 1 rod = 16.5 feet.  The program will then convert from varas, chains or rods into feet or meters depending upon the setting of the {UNITS} button.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9c

 

1.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| when displaying the direction arrow.  Previously, the direction arrow would be pointing in the opposite direction of what it should be when a deflection angle was being specified.

 

2.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| when displaying the direction arrow.  Previously, the direction arrow would be pointing in the opposite direction of what it should be when a deflection angle was being specified.

 

3.         Addition of the CEDRA-GridAQuadrilateral extension which enables the user to create polygons within a quadrilateral by specifying the number of rows and columns.  The quadrilateral is represented by a polyline feature that contains four sides and whose last point matches the first, thereby, forming a closed figure.  After the user selects the polyline feature, the command prompts the user for the number of rows and columns.  Using this information the command will create the appropriate polygons placing them in the current active layer.  The spacing between the rows is computed by taking the distance between the second and third points in the polyline and dividing by the number of desired rows.  Likewise, the column spacing is computed by taking the distance between the first and second points in the polyline and dividing by the number of desired columns.  The polygons are created left to right and from bottom to top.  The left to right direction is controlled by the direction of the first two points in the polyline.  In addition, the user has the option of creating points at the vertices of the polygons that are created.  The default is not to create points.  If the user desires to create points then the user should enter y in the appropriate location in the multi-input dialog box that is displayed by the command.  Note that no duplicate points will be created.  Like the polygons that are created, the points are placed in the current active layer.  If the user does not select a feature or selects a non-polyline feature (point or polygon), an appropriate error message will be displayed and the command aborted.

 

4.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| to redisplay the input dialog box when an error has been detected.  Previously if an error was detected in the data that was supplied by the user, the command would display an error message and abort.  Now the command displays the same error message but once the user acknowledges the error message, the command redisplays the input dialog box displaying the values that were entered when the error was detected.

 

5.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| to redisplay the input dialog box when an error has been detected.  Previously if an error was detected in the data that was supplied by the user, the command would display an error message and abort.  Now the command displays the same error message but once the user acknowledges the error message, the command redisplays the input dialog box displaying the values that were entered when the error was detected.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9b

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [View Tools] command to display the view tools in the button bar as well as in the View Tools Palette.  Previously, the view tools were only available in the View Tools Palette.  Now as the command is selected, the view tools will initially appear in the View Tools Palette, then as the command is reselected, on the button bar.  As the command is reselected, the display sequence, described above, is repeated.  In so doing, the user now has an option as to where the view tools should appear.

 

2.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command to enable the user to create line features based upon vertex coordinates, as well as, a combination of node number connectivies and coordinates.  Two new options called Line Coordinate File - 1 and Line Coordinate File - 2 have been added to the File Type pull-down list that is presented by the command.  The Line Coordinate File - 1 option, enables the user to process a file that contains a unique line identifier with coordinates of the points that comprise the line appearing sequentially, one after the other, to create polylines.  For every line that is defined at least two data lines must appear with all vertices comprising the line carrying the same line identifier.  Once a new line identifier is encountered the previous line definition is interpreted as being completed.  The Line Coordinate File - 2 option enables the user to generate two point lines based upon the coordinates of the two nodes that comprise the line.  Under this mode of operation, the file contains a data line for every line to be defined.  On a data line, the start node number of the line appears along with its coordinates as well as the end node number of the line.  Two passes are made in processing the file, the first is to read and store all of the start node numbers and their coordinates, while the second is to create the lines using the coordinates contained on a data line, as well as, the coordinates saved during the first pass.  In addition to the lines that are created, the command will generate points for each start node number that is referenced in the file.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.9a

 

1.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| to remove the requirement of picking two points to define the baseline direction when a point feature has been selected.  Previously, when a point feature was selected and confirmed, the user had to pick two points to define the direction of the baseline.  When an explicit direction was being specified these points were not necessary.  Now, when a point feature is selected a new parameter, in the multi-input message box that is displayed by the command, will appear.  This parameter carrys the label Pick two point baseline (Y = yes, N = no).  If the user wishes to define the baseline direction when a point feature is selected, following the confirmation of the feature and the display of the multi-input message box, the user should enter y in the field to the right of the Pick two point baseline label.  Once entered, the user can pick the two points that define the direction of the baseline.  If the user does not wish to define the baseline direction when a point feature is selected, the user can simply enter the appropriate information in the multi-input message box that is displayed.  The default baseline direction when a point feature is selected is along the x axis or a Cartesian angle of zero degrees.  When a line feature is selected, the default baseline direction is identical to that of the line's direction.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

2.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| to display a blue arrow denoting the direction of the baseline.  In so doing it is easier for the user to identify which side is to the right or left of the baseline.  Note that when central angles are being specified, the user should reverse the direction of the blue arrow.  That is, when central angles are being entered, the command adds 180 degrees to the direction of the baseline and then adds the specified central angle to the reversed baseline direction.

 

3.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| to share the exact same code base as the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST|.  Previously, the code for the two commands was similar, but in actuality, different scripts.  Now both commands share the exact same code, with the difference being, depending upon which tool is selected, either a line or a point feature is created.  Since the commands share the same code the operation of the Line 3 command is identical to that of the Point 3 command.

 

4.         Modification to the Point 4 command |PLUS/OF| to display a blue arrow denoting the direction of the baseline.  In so doing it is easier for the user to identify which side is to the right or left of the baseline.

 

5.         Modification to the Point 4 command |PLUS/OF| to handle curves whose central angle is greater than 180 degrees.  Previously, when a curve with a central angle greater than 180 degrees was being processed, the command would not properly compute the coordinates of the new point(s).

 

6.         Modification to the Tangent Curve 1 through Tangent Curve 4 commands to display a blue arrow denoting the direction of the baseline.  In so doing it is easier for the user to identify which side is to the right or left of the baseline.

 

7.         Modification to the Intersection 6 command |I 2L/OF| to handle polyline as well as two-point line features.  Previously, only two-point line features were processed by this command.

 

8.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command to enable the user to create line features based upon node connectivities.  A new option called Line Connectivity File has been added to the File Type pull-down list that is presented by the command.  This option, when selected, assumes that the root name of the file that is selected matches the name of a visible point theme in the view.  Within the Line Connectivity File will be a single record, for every line to be created, containing as a minimum a start node and an end node number.  These node numbers correspond to a node number that appears in the corresponding point theme.  As the records are processed, the command extracts the coordinates of the start and end nodes from the correspond point theme and creates line features.  The user has the option of including or excluding the other attributes in the Line Connectivity File with the line features that are created.  Furthermore, the user is able to specify the field in the corresponding point theme that contains the node numbers, as well as, the fields in the file being processed that contain the start and end node values.  Since the user is able to specify the fields that contain the respective node numbers, the node numbers do not need to be purely numeric.  That is, the node number fields may be either numeric or alphanumeric.  However, processing numeric node number fields will be faster than alphanumerics fields.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8u

 

1.         Modification to the Transformation tool.  Seven new options have been added to the pull-down list that is presented by the command.  Six of the seven pertain to defining the individual points that establish the old and new baselines.  The seventh enables the user to employ a Stretch transformation.  The seven new options include Pick Baseline Point 1, Pick Basline Point 2, Pick Baseline Point 3, Pick New Baseline Point 1, Pick New Baseline Point 2, Pick New Baseline Point 3 and Stretch Features.  In order to use the Stretch Features option all six baseline points must be specified.  The six baseline points are comprised of three points defining the original or old baseline and three points which correspond to the three original or old baseline points but in a new coordinate system.  The command scales, rotates and translates the original or old baseline points to match the new baseline points.  A baseline, when using the Stretch Feature option, is defined by Points 1 and 2, which establish a direction, and Point 3 which is a point offset from an imaginary line connecting Points 1 and 2.  The Stretch Features option is different than the Transform Features option in that it will distort the features it processes.  The distortion occurs because the command forces the third point in the original or old baseline to match the third point in the new baseline.  The Transform Features option, on the other hand, simply uses the third point, if specified, to compute a Y scale factor.  If not specified, the Y scale factor is assumed to be the same as the X scale factor.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

2.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| to provide the user the ability to specify a zero distance value without the command aborting.  When the direction mode r is employed, the user is able to enter a zero distance value without aborting the command.  Previously, the command would aborted when a zero distance was specified.  Now when a zero distance is entered, under the direction mode r, the command accounts for the relative angle without creating a point and redisplays the multi-input dialog box for further input.  Note that under the e and a direction modes a zero distance value will result in the command aborting.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

3.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| to provide the user the ability to specify a zero distance value without the command aborting.  When the direction mode r is employed, the user is able to enter a zero distance value without aborting the command.  Previously, the command would aborted when a zero distance was specified.  Now when a zero distance is entered, under the direction mode r, the command accounts for the relative angle without creating a line and redisplays the multi-input dialog box for further input.  Note that under the e and a direction modes a zero distance value will result in the command aborting.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8t

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Classifications] command to provide the user the ability to assign a specific color and symbol to a specific theme.  A new option, Match color and symbology from File, has been added to the pull-down list that is presented by the command.  This option reads the ASCII file, symblayr.txt, which is located in the CEDRA distribution directory, for PC based users, \cedra\avprjs.  This is a normal text file and can be modified by the user as desired.  Within the file are instructions as to how the file should be structured.  Essentially, the user specifies on a data line the name of a theme, a keycode and a keycode value.  These three parameters are separated by at least one space or blank character.  The name of the theme must appear as it does in the View's Table of Contents with the exception for CEDRA layers.  For CEDRA layers only the root name of the theme needs to be specified.  That is, those themes which end with the cn.shp, cv.shp, ln.shp, pg.shp, pl.shp, pn.shp and tx.shp characters do not need to have the exact theme name spelling in the symblayr.txt file.  For example, the theme L_0pn.shp would be defined in the symblayr.txt file as L_0, not L_0pn.shp.  The pn.shp characters are omitted.  The valid keycodes are COLOR, FILL, PEN and MARKER.  The keycode COLOR enables the user to assign a color to a theme.  The keycodes FILL, PEN and MARKER allow the user to assign a specific fill pattern, linestyle or point marker, respectively, to a theme.  The valid keycode values for the COLOR keycode are BLACK, BLUE, CYAN, GRAY, GREEN, MAGENTA, RED, WHITE and YELLOW.  The valid keycode values for the FILL, PEN and MARKER are those numbers greater than or equal to zero.  These numbers correspond to the index value for the symbols displayed in the Symbol Palette window.  These numbers begin at 0 and increment sequentially by one on a row by row basis.  That is, when the Symbol Palette is displayed usually three patterns, line styles or markers appear on a row, depending upon the type of palette that is displayed.  For the first row the index values would be 0, 1 and 2 proceeding left to right in the row.  Likewise, for the second row, the index values would be 3, 4 and 5 also proceeding left to right.  This process is applied to all of the remaining rows in the palette.  Once the symblayr.txt file is read, the command searches the Table of Contents for the specified theme.  If a match is made, a single symbol legend type is applied to the theme and the appropriate color and/or symbol assignments made.

 

2.         Addition of a new extension, CEDRA-ChangeFeatures, which is included with the distribution software.  This extension is comprised of one button and one tool that enables the user to change the shape of a single feature or a group of features using the shape of another feature.  The button is represented by the Link icon and its balloon help appears as Change Selected Features, while the tool is represented by the StyleRamp icon and its balloon help is Change Feature's Shape.  The function of these commands is to change the shape of selected features by substituting the shape of other features.  The Change Feature's Shape tool operates on a single feature, while the Change Selected Features button will process the current selected features, which may be comprised of one or more features.  The Change Feature's Shape tool will prompt the user to select the feature to be changed, followed by prompting the user to select the feature whose shape is to replace the feature initially selected.  The initial feature's shape is then changed to be identical to that of the second feature selected.  The second feature is left unaltered.  The Change Selected Features button will change the shape of the current selected features by using the shapes of features in a specific theme which have an identical attribute with the current selected features.  The user is asked to identify the theme containing the new shapes as well as the field or attribute that is to be used to make a match between the features.

 

3.         Modification to the {Import} [Points] command to provide the user the ability to create point features at the endpoints of lines.  If the user has selected a file containing the .shp extension, when prompted for the name of the file to be processed, the command assumes that the user wishes to create point features at the endpoints of the line features stored in the Shapefile.  Under this mode of operation, the Shapefile must have been loaded, in the current view, prior to invoking the [Import Points] command.  Using the name of the shapefile, selected by the user, the command will scan the view's Table of Contents for a visible theme of the same name.  If no theme is found, a warning message is displayed and the command terminates.  The name that appears in the top line of the warning message is the root name of the shapefile that was selected by the user.  A theme with this same name must be present in the current view for the command to operate under this mode.  It is the theme in the view that is processed and not the file that resides on disk.  If a theme is found, the command will begin to generate point elements at the endpoints of the selected line features in the theme.  If no lines have been selected then all line features in the theme will be processed.  The point features that are created will be stored in the current active layer and will be assigned typical AVseries point attributes.  In creating the point features, the command will not generate duplicate points at common endpoint locations.  In eliminating duplicate points, the command employs one of two methods.  The first method is to examine the selected line theme for the FNODE_ and TNODE_ attributes.  These are typical Arc/Info attributes that represent a from node number and a to node number.  If these attributes exist, the command will create a point feature for every unique node number.  In addition, the command will create an attribute called NODENO that will contain the FNODE_ or TNODE_ node number.  The second method is employed when the FNODE_ and TNODE_ attributes do not exist in the selected line theme.  Under this method, the command checks for common coordinates.  Note that this method is considerably slower than the first because every endpoint is compared with every other endpoint.  In examining the theme in which the created point features are stored, the user will notice the PNT and NODENO attributes.  The PNT attribute represents the sequential point number assigned to the point and will begin at one (1) if the theme contains no other point features or will begin at one higher than the highest PNT value present in the point theme.  The NODENO attribute will either be identical to the PNT attribute if the selected line theme does not contain the FNODE_ and TNODE_ attributes or will represent the FNODE_ or TNODE_ node number, if the selected line theme does contain these attributes.

 

4.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Change Text Properties] command.  The default value for the Maximum Chord Deflection in Degrees option has been changed from 18 to 24.  This option enables the user to control how "course" the segments comprising a curve can be.  The smaller the number the smoother the curve must be and hence more segments must appear in the curve.  The larger the number the "choppier" the curve can be.  The easiest way to determine what value should be entered for this option is to take the curve with the largest central angle (in degrees) and divide it by the number of segments that make up the curve.  For example, if the largest central angle is 180 degrees (a semi-circle) and there are 8 segments comprising the curve the user could enter 23 for the Maximum Chord Deflection in Degrees option.  Even though the result of the division is 22.5, the user should round up or pad the value to account for any rounding or numerical "noise".

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8s

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [AVcogo Properties] command to enable the user to specify the snap tolerance either as a percentage or as an absolute value.  Previously, the user was able to only specify the tolerance as a percentage of the view display window width.  If the user wishes to specify the tolerance as an absolute value, the keycode a should be appended to the desired value.  For example, if the snap tolerance is to be defined as 10 feet, the user should enter 10 a, that is, the number ten followed by at least one space and then the a character.  If the keycode a is omitted, the command assumes that a percentage snap tolerance is desired.  If a percentage snap tolerance is to be entered, the user does not have to divide the value by 100 prior to entering the value.  Previously if a 2 percent snap tolerance was desired, the user would have entered 0.02.  Now the user should enter 2, if a 2 percent snap tolerance is desired.  Note that the snap tolerance does not have to be a whole number, a value of 2.45 would be acceptable.  In addition, when the command is activated, the command will append the text percent or absolute to the current snap tolerance value.  This is done to allow the user to determine the type of snap tolerance in effect.

 

2.         Modification to the Relocation 3 command |EXT/ELE/PT| to allow the user to process polyline features in addition to two-point lines and curves.  When a polyline feature is processed either the first or last segment in the polyline will be adjusted depending upon which endpoint is closest to the pick that was made to identify the feature.  All internal vertices of the polyline will remain unaltered.  Previously, only two-point lines and curves were processed by this command.

 

3.         Modification to the Relocation 3 command |EXT/ELE/PT| to allow the user the ability to specify the length of the feature being processed.  Two-point lines, polylines and curves may be processed by this command.  The input message box has been changed to a multi-input message box with two new parameters.  The first parameter allows for the entry of the length of the feature, while the second is a yes/no parameter that indicates whether the feature length is being specified or not.  The default for the second parameter is no, while the default for the first is the current length of the feature.  If the user wishes to specify the length of a feature, the user must specify the desired length and enter y or yes to the last parameter displayed in the multi-input message box.

 

4.         Modification to the Offset 1 command |PARL LN| and Offset 3 command |PARL ELE| to enable the user to create individual line segments for the various segments that comprise the polygon or polyline feature.  Previously only a polyline could have been created.  Now the user can specify that line segments are to be processed (using the second data field in the multi-input message box) and the commands will generate the line segments accordingly.

 

5.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PARL ELE| to process a string that is comprised of only one feature.  Previously, a string had to be comprised of at least two features in order for the command to operate.

 

6.         Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT|, Relocation 3 command |EXT/ELE/PT| and Relocation 4 command |EXT/ELE/XING| to process M and Z types of features.  These features are typically encountered when a CAD drawing is converted into a shapefile and the user wishes to edit the shapefile.  Previously these feature types were not supported and as such the user was not able to edit these features.

 

7.         Modification to the {Annotate} [Point Data] command to allow the user the ability to specify a text angle when annotating point feature's attributes.  A new parameter has been added to the multi-input message box that is displayed which provides for a text angle specification.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8r

 

1.         Modification to all tools which prompt the user for a distance or a length.  It is now possible for the user to specify the distance or length value in terms of varas.  To do so, the user appends the keycode v or vf after the value.  A space, comma or tab must separate the value from the keycode.  The keycode v denotes that 1 vara = 33.333 inches (state of Texas), while the keycode vf denotes that 1 vara = 33.372 inches (state of Florida).  The program will then convert from varas into feet or meters depending upon the setting of the {UNITS} button.

 

2.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command to enable the user to create point features at the endpoints of line endpoints.  No duplicate points will be created at common line endpoints.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8q

 

1.         Modification to the {Text Properties} [Generate Text from Table] command to handle CAD drawing attribute tables for text elements.  Previously, only AVseries text attribute tables could be processed.  Now it is possible to generate AVseries text features from the text elements in a CAD drawing.  A CAD drawing attribute table for a text element is denoted by having the SHAPE, ENTITY and TEXT fields.  Using this new functionality provides the user the ability to edit text that is imported from a CAD drawing.

 

2.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Import Points] command.  The scripts which comprise this command have been extracted to form the CEDRA-ImportPoints extension.  In order for the user to use the [Import Points] command the CEDRA-ImportPoints extension needs to be loaded, if not, an appropriate error message will be displayed.

 

3.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [ImportPoints] command to provide the user the ability to create point features using the text elements in a CAD drawing.  The text elements that are processed are those which represent numbers.  Text elements that do not represent a single numeric value are ignored.  The user has the option of creating point features at the start of the text element, the end of the text element, at the mid-point of the text element or at the location of the decimal point within the text element.  The number which the text element represents will be assigned to the Z attribute for the point feature.  Note that the Annotation or Text theme of a CAD drawing, when using this command, should appear above any of the other themes that are associated with the CAD drawing in the view's Table of Contents.

 

4.         Modification to the Point 7 command |POINT TICKS| to provide the user the ability to create point features at the vertex locations of a polyline feature.  A new data line has been added to the dialog box that is displayed by this command.  The new data line is as follows:

 

            Create Points at Polyline vertices (Y=yes, N=no):

 

            The default response is no.  A response of Y or y will result in the command creating point features at every vertex within a polyline, including the start and end vertices of the polyline.  Furthermore, a response of Y or y will take precedence over the Number of Segments and Segment Length values.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8p

 

1.         Modification to the Intersection 1 command |I 2L/NBL| to enable the user to select a polygon feature.  Previously, only two-point lines and polylines could be selected.  If a polygon feature was selected, a warning message would have been displayed.  Now the user is able to intersect line features with polygon features, as well as, polygon features with other polygon features.  When polygon features are selected all intersection points are computed

 

2.         Modification to the SetViewSnapTol and CheckEndPoint scripts, which effect the point snapping capability within AVcogo, when working in a view with a projection.  Previously, depending upon the projection that was applied, the point snapping would not snap.  Now the point snapping will operate regardless of the projection that is applied to the view.

 

3.         Modification to the Echo 3 command |ECHO ANGLE| to display the deflection angle, in addition to the interior and exterior angles formed by the user's three picks, in the status bar area.  The deflection angle is based upon the difference between angle 1 and angle 2, where angle 1 is defined from the first pick to the second pick and angle 2 is defined from the second pick to the third pick.  A positive deflection denotes a turn to the right off of angle 1, while a negative angle denotes a turn to the left off of angle 1.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8o

 

1.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Copy Selected Features] command to provide the user the ability to specify whether attributes, that are associated with the selected feature(s) to be copied and which are missing from the resultant theme, are to be copied in addition to the shape of the selected feature(s).  Previously, the command would always copy any missing attributes which would result in the list of attributes, associated with the resultant theme, being expanded.  The user now has a choice which is presented in the form of a query (Yes-No-Cancel message box).  Responding Yes results in the command copying any missing attributes along with the shape of the feature into the resultant theme.  A response of No results in the command copying only the shape of the feature ignoring any attributes that may not be present in the resultant theme, while a response of Cancel will abort the command.

 

2.         Modification to the {AVcogo Tools} [Update Geometry] command to store the line length value in the fields LENGTH and PLONG, if present, for line type themes.  Previously, only the LEN field would be updated with the line length value.  Now, the LEN, LENGTH and PLONG fields will be updated if they are present.  Note that any previous value in these fields will be overwritten.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8n

 

1.         Modification to the {Import} [Points] command to accept the space, comma or tab characters as separating characters between the items on a data line.  Previously, only the space and comma characters were valid delineating characters, at this version, the tab character has been added.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8m

 

1.         Modification to the Offset 3 command |PAR ELE| to provide the user the ability to create buffer polygons.  A buffer polygon is a polygon that is centered or has unequal offsets about the base string.  A new parameter, buffer offset, appears in the offset string multi-input message box.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

2.         The AVcogo extension will now take into account the View Properties settings for Map Units and Distance Units when the view is not assigned a projection.  Previously, when the View was not assigned a projection, the extension would assume that the Distance Units setting was the same as the Map Units setting. This modification allows the user the ability to work in an environment where the Map Units is set to meters and the Distance Units as feet.  In so doing, the user is able to enter distances in terms of feet rather than meters since the Distance Units property controls the units in which distances are specified.

 

AVcogo New Features at Version 7.8l

 

1.         Modification to the Point 3 command |POINT DIR/DIST| to provide the user the ability to turn an angle off a baseline in addition to being able to explicitly enter a direction.  Previously, the user was only able to explicitly enter a direction.  Now the user has the option of specifying an angle that is turned off a baseline direction.  A new parameter, direction mode, appears in the multi-input message box.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

2.         Modification to the Line 3 command |LINE DIR/DIST| to provide the user the ability to turn an angle off a baseline in addition to being able to explicitly enter a direction.  Previously, the user was only able to explicitly enter a direction.  Now the user has the option of specifying an angle that is turned off a baseline direction.  A new parameter, direction mode, appears in the multi-input message box.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

3.         Modification to the [Import Points] command to enable the user to build polygons from an ASCII based file.  The polygons that are created can contain sides that are linear (straight) or curved.  Additional file types have been added to the file type pull-down list  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.

 

4.         Ability to work with views that contain raster images.

 

5.         Ability to work as an extension with Version 3.1 of ArcView.

 

6.         Ability to work with views that have been assigned a projection.

 

7.         Modification to the Relocation 1 command |MOV LNPT| to provide the user the ability to insert a vertex along a polyline or along the boundary of a polygon.  Previously, normal ArcView functionality had to be used to create a new point on a polyline or boundary of a polygon.  Consult the [AVcogo online Help] for more information.