Settings

Basic Settings

How do you change the path to projects, the project main directory?

In project management under 5-3 Settings - Paths, System, the path from DHPPROROOT can be adjusted.

How do you change the zoom direction when turning the mouse wheel?

Building navigation can be enabled in the model area DICAM: Free Construction under 1-7-2 File – Settings – Screen Elements.

How do you change the size of icons/font?

The font size is set in project management under 5-04 Settings – User Interface, Icon Bar, Font Size. The font size determines, among other things, the minimum size of dialog boxes.

Under the same function, the size of the project management icons is set.

How do you create custom icons?

In each model area, the icon bar can be adapted to your needs. The dialog is called up under 1-7-07. Existing icon bars can be modified with -Edit-. The option - Add - saves the selected function to the chosen icon bar.

With the command – New – an empty bar can be populated with the desired functions.

Are there other colors for the user interface?

In project management under 5-04, an individual interface can be selected. The interface can be individually adapted for each program section. For example, if you want to work in dark mode in construction and want a white interface in project management, you can set this individually.

Can other points be caught with point snapping?

In Object Snap 1-7-02, automatic searching for endpoint, intersection point, perpendicular to a line, horizontal to a line, and vertical to a line can be set. This way they automatically come into use when clicking in a corresponding situation.

For example, if the object snap 'Intersection point' is turned on, and when clicking there is an intersection of two lines in the cursor window, this intersection point will be automatically accepted.

Can the rotation point be changed?

The rotation point option can be called up with 1-7-03 in Free Construction. Depending on the mouse input device, the auxiliary menu dialog/rotation point can also be selected with the middle mouse button. The rotation point can now be reset accordingly.

How are settings saved and what are favorites?

In almost every program function, the current input can be saved for recurring inputs. We offer the familiar save symbol as an option in every dialog box. For quick selection of your own settings, the favorites selection offers a drop-down list. Under the menu item -Manage Settings, next to the save symbol, you can create your own favorites.

What is the difference between Direct2D and GDI?

Direct2D and GDI are both immediate-mode 2D rendering APIs as well as hardware-accelerated. However, there are a number of differences that exist in both APIs. GDI manages its resources, especially bitmaps, in system memory by default. Direct2D manages its resources in video memory on the graphics card. In the Direct2D model, an application is rendered in a back buffer, and the result is displayed when the application's drawing is complete. This allows Direct2D to handle animation scenarios much more smoothly than GDI. Existing GDI code continues to work well under Windows. For performance-intensive rendering, Direct2D should be considered as modern GPUs are better utilized.

In Free Construction, the PC's graphics system can be selected. The dialog can be found under 1-7-2 Display Screen Elements- Display- Graphics System. In case of problems with the graphics card, especially in Open GL mode, changing the existing setting can provide relief.

What is the difference between work environment and building template?

The work environment serves for version-independent exchange of settings. The settings can be transferred from one version - via data exchange 1-3-5 in the building model - to a new version.

The building template basically serves as a work basis. The building template can be preset and saved for recurring inputs with, for example, components. The dialog is started from Dietrich's project management under 2-1. You can start with or without a building template.

Can the start center be turned off?

The start center cannot be turned off and offers many advantages. It shows current information about the program, training, or other news and offers a clear structure of recently used or pinned projects and positions.

In project management under 5-3 "Paths, System", the setting can be made so that the start center is only displayed once a day.

Shortcuts and Keyboard Functions

What functions are available on the mouse buttons?

Depending on the mouse input device and button assignment (Windows Control Panel setting), an auxiliary menu with extensive input aids can be opened. The middle mouse button opens different assistance features depending on the model area and Dietrich's version. Among other things, the measurement function can be found there.

What keyboard functions are available for point specification?

What keyboard functions are available for selection?

Can copy functions CTRL+C / CTRL+V be used?

In most program areas, the familiar Windows clipboard function can be used. The clipboard is a buffer, i.e., temporary storage, for short-term saving and transferring of data in the 2-D area of, for example, lines, but also of 3D elements like components.

Can keyboard shortcuts be changed and newly created?

Keyboard shortcuts can be changed, added, and deleted under 1-7-08 Keyboard Shortcuts.

A point in the contour cannot be selected and the contour cannot be closed, is there a keyboard function for this?

In every contour function (hatching, roof contour, ceiling contour, layer contour, length determination), you can jump back one point in the contour input with CTRL+Z and thus the contour.

Palette Dialogs

Palette dialogs are windows that can be pinned to the edges of the program using the pin function. This makes them permanently visible and usable.

Where do you find building navigation and how does it work?

Building navigation can be enabled in the model area DICAM: Free Construction under 1-7-2 File – Settings – Screen Elements. With a left mouse click, you can easily switch the model area or building element. Additional functions appear when hovering with the mouse over a building element or with a right mouse click.

Where do you find the building overview?

The building overview can be enabled in the model area DICAM: Free Construction under 1-7-2 File – Settings – Screen Elements. Here you find it under Model for viewing direction. The default setting is KOORDSY5. This shows different information for better orientation depending on the model area. In DICAM the viewing direction, in wall construction the currently edited wall.

Where do you find the display switching?

Display switching is enabled via 1-7-1 File-Settings-Display. The display switching controls what should be visible in the drawing area. Through the possibility to turn complete areas on and off with one click, the desired settings can be found more easily.

Basic videos for this can be found as an introduction to V23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtCQfecXsEk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUwE9TZlYMg

Where do you find volume info?

Building navigation can be enabled in the model area DICAM: Free Construction under 1-7-2 File – Settings – Screen Elements. Volume info shows information about the currently activated volumes. For example, the number, running meters, and other information.

Volume info serves not only for display but also for control. Volume data, such as color or bar type, can be changed in it.

Where do you find dimensioning and labeling?

Automatic dimensioning and labeling are switched via dimensioning and labeling. These are specifically for the profile and the model areas basic view, floor plan, and views/sections.

This is particularly covered in the video about views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nuD9x4U-TY