Embedded Files
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The command line
The command line
The command line is where all the interaction between you and the calculator occurs.
A simple example
A simple example
Draw 3 lines connected at the end points to each other. This will simulate the feature that we want to label or design.
Command: LINE
Specify first point: (select a point using the mouse)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (select a point using the mouse)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (select a point using the mouse)
Specify next point or [Close Undo]: (select a point using the mouse)
Specify next point or [Close Undo]: (quit the command by pressing ENTER, ESC, SPACEBAR or right-click with mouse)
Start by typing the EC command or click the toolbar icon. The syntax for the prompts follows the standard for AutoCAD commands. Options within [brackets] can be selected by typing the first letter and pressing ENTER or SPACE. Values within <angles> can be used by just pressing ENTER.
Select the beginning of your first line.
Command: EC
Initializing...
"ec-pro.VLX" loaded. Type EC to start, ECS to change label format styles. Type EC-HELP for more information.
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Specify first point or [Styles Mini sWap] <last point>: (select a point using the mouse)
Next you are prompted to enter the elevation of the point you selected. You may press ENTER to use 100.00, or type your own value. For this example we will use the default, press ENTER.
Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <100.00>: (press ENTER)
The program outputs the elevations and labels it will use when drawing your label. On screen you will see there is a line, or "rubberband" between the point you selected and your cursor and 2 textboxes. These objects are solid, not dashed. This means you are in label mode. If you pick a point, the program will then draw the label at that angle. When you move the mouse around, notice the program automatically flips the text so that it is readable depending on the angle you draw the label.
100.00 TC / 99.50 FL -
Specify end point of label or [Styles Mini Tail] <none>: (select a point using the mouse)
The rubberband now changes to a dashed line. Dashed means you are in design mode. Select the other end of the first segment.
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Select next point or [Arc Target Styles Mini sWap] <quit>: (select a point using the mouse)
The program outputs the distance between the two points you selected and the bearing. Next you are prompted for the slope. Enter positive percent value if the slope is going up from the first point to the second, or negative if going down. We will use the default for now, press ENTER.
Bearing: N43d23'32"W
Length: 45.27
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: (press ENTER)
The next prompt is called Difference. This is normally zero, but you could enter a positive or negative number here to represent a "step" at the beginning or end of your segment. The default value for the difference is always '0.0'. Press ENTER here for now.
Enter difference in elevation (ft) <0.0>: (press ENTER)
At this point the program will repeat the label prompt with the solid rubberband and textboxes. You can press enter to skip the label and move on to more design. Continue labeling the rest of your line. To exit, press ENTER when the prompt asks for the next point.
100.45 TC 99.95 FL
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: (select a point using the mouse)
The prompts are set up so that you can press ENTER to skip or reuse the previous values making it very easy to quickly create a string of labels.
Select/ Bottom/ Top options
Select/ Bottom/ Top options
At the prompt that asks for the beginning elevation you have the option to use Select. This option will allow you to click on an existing text object (TEXT, MTEXT, ATTDEF, ATTRIB, or MULTILEADER), another label for instance, and use that number. This option works even with prefixes as well as suffixes. Also, you can select a limited list of drawing objects for which an elevation can be extracted.
Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <100.00>: s (type the letter 's')
Filter: TEXT MTEXT ATTDEF ATTRIB MULTILEADER LWPOLYLINE VERTEX CIRCLE ARC POINT AECC_POINT AECC_COGO_POINT AECC_CONTOUR
Select object or <back>: (select an object using the mouse)
102.50 TC 102.00 FL
When selecting an MTEXT or Multileader and it contains more than one number, EC Pro will prompt you to select the correct elevation (default is the first found number). If the Heads-Up option is enabled you may be prompted in a small dialog box to select the number.
Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <100.00>: s (type the letter 's')
Filter: TEXT MTEXT ATTDEF ATTRIB MULTILEADER LWPOLYLINE VERTEX CIRCLE ARC POINT AECC_POINT AECC_COGO_POINT AECC_CONTOUR
Select object or <back>: (select an existing multi-line text object with the mouse)
Multi-line text detected! Select correct elevation [1=100.00 2=99.50] <100.00>: 2 (type the number '2')
99.50 TC / 99.00 FL -
Specify end point of label or [Styles Mini Tail] <none>:
The elevations are output to the commandline. The Bottom option will allow you to specify the bottom elevation instead of the default top elevation. While in Bottom mode, Top replaces Bottom as an option.
Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <100.00>: b (type the letter 'b')
Enter bottom elevation or [Select Top] <100.00>: 102.25 (type an elevation or type an option)
EC Pro then automatically calculates the top elevation for you.
Arc/ Target options
Arc/ Target options
Please see "Styles/Mini/Swap options" for explanation of the [Styles/Mini/sWap] options.
When prompted for the next point in design mode, you are given the option of Arc. This will let you calculate your design along an arc.
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Select next point or [Arc Target Styles Mini sWap] <quit>: a (type the letter 'a')
Specify center of arc: (select a point using the mouse)
The 'center' object snap is automatically used to make it easier to select the center point of the arc, though you can use any object snap you wish.
Specify next point on arc or <quit>: (select a point using the mouse)
Radius: 20.00 Delta: 89d52'12"
Length: 31.37
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>:
Pick any point along the arc. This point must be on the arc or the program will prompt for the point again. Note that the program will take the shortest route to the point on the arc, i.e. 'delta' will always be 180 degress or less. It does not care about being tangent to the path. So, you may need to do the calculation in two steps to get around a curve that is greater than 180 degrees. The program continues with the same prompts as in the simple example above.
Alternatively, if you know the elevation and the slope you want to label, but do not know where it is located along a path, you can use the Target option.
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Select next point or [Arc Target Styles Mini sWap] <quit>: t (type the letter 't')
Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <100.00>: 100.50 (type an elevation, or select one of the options, or press ENTER)
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Test] <1.00>: (type a slope, or select one of the options, or press ENTER)
Specify direction: (select a point using the mouse or type an angle)
Length: 50.00 ft 100.50 TC 100.00 FL
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>:
The label will be drawn at the proper location along the line you specify. Note that you are not able to specify the elevation option at the slope prompt. This is because it is necessary to have slope and elevation to determine the distance.
Select/ Ratio/ Difference/ Elevation/ Intermediate/ Test options
Select/ Ratio/ Difference/ Elevation/ Intermediate/ Test options
When asked to enter the slope, you are given 6 other options: Select, Ratio, Difference, Elevation, Intermediate, and Test. Choosing Ratio will allow you to enter 5/1 for a 5 horizontal to 1 vertical slope.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: r (type the letter 'r')
Enter slope as a ratio H/V: 5/1 (type '5/1')
If you select just the Difference, or step option, it skips over the slope prompt and calculates the slope from your difference in elevation.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: d (type the letter 'd')
Enter difference in elevation (ft) <0.0>: -1 (type '-1')
102.50 TC 102.00 FL (program labels the slope based on the elevation difference)
If you did not choose the Difference option, you are always prompted for a difference after. In the simple example, you used the default '0' value. This value could represent any change in elevation; this is more useful in situations other than designing curb.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: 2 (type the number '2')
Enter difference in elevation (ft) <0.0>: (press enter)
103.70 TC 103.30 FL
Alternatively, you could select Elevation and type the elevation, or optionally, Select it as you did before. EC Pro then calculates the slope automatically for you. See Select Option section for more info.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: e (type the letter 'e')
Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <back>: 102.5 (type the elevation)
Slope: 2.13%
The Select option will allow you to pick a text object (TEXT, MTEXT, ATTDEF, or ATTRIB) to extract the slope value from. This extraction takes into account the distance label portion of the text you click on and will correctly return the slope value. Also, you are able to select a line (LINE). The slope will be derived from the actual slope of the line.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: s (type the letter 's')
Filter: TEXT MTEXT ATTDEF ATTRIB LINE
Select object or <back>: (select an object using the mouse)
Slope: 1.00%
The program will prompt you to correct the sign of the slope. This is due to the fact that sometimes the slope is labeled using the ABS value. Typing 'No' will automatically change the sign of the slope value.
Is the sign of the slope correct? [Yes No] <Yes>: n (type the letter 'n')
Slope: -1.00%
Enter difference in elevation (ft) <0.0>:
The Intermediate option will allow you to skip entering a slope or elevation until you get to your end point. It will bank the distances and then calculate the elevation or slope for you at the end. This is nice when you have several steps between your start and end points, but do not know what the slope is. You can select intermediate an unlimited number of times, but it will not remember the banked distance if you quit out of the command.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: i (type the letter 'i')
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Select next point or [Arc Target Styles Mini sWap] <quit>: continue your design
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: 2 (type the slope '2')
102.50 TC 102.00 FL
The Test option will allow you to see what the resulting elevation would be for different slope values. You can specify either the Slope or Elevation.
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <1.00>: t (type the letter 't')
TEST>> Select type of test [Slope Elevation] <Slope>: s (type the letter 's')
TEST>> Enter slope in percent or <1.00>: 5 (type the slope 5)
TEST>> 102.50 TC 102.00 FL
Enter slope in percent or [Select Ratio Difference Elevation Intermediate Test] <5.00>: t (type the letter 't')
TEST>> Select type of test [Slope Elevation] <Slope>: e (type the letter 'e')
TEST>> Enter slope in percent or <1.00>: 5 (type the slope 5)
TEST>> Enter top elevation or [Select Bottom] <back>: 102.5 (type the elevation)
TEST>> Slope: 2.13%
The resultant will be displayed on the command line, and then you can choose to use this entered or calculated slope in your design.
Bump/ Flip/ Rotate/ Invert/ Erase/ Draw/ Tail options
Bump/ Flip/ Rotate/ Invert/ Erase/ Draw/ Tail options
Please see "Styles/Mini/Swap options" for explanation of the [Styles/Mini] options.
There are several options while you are placing a label directly after you have created a Slope-Distance-Bearing label. These are Bump, Flip, Rotate, Invert, Erase, Draw and Tail.
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: b (type the letter 'b')
(the slope/distance/bearing label is bumped out)
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: f (type the letter 'f')
(the slope/distance/bearing label is flipped)
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: r (type the letter 'r')
(the slope/distance/bearing label is rotated)
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: i (type the letter 'i')
(the slope/distance/bearing label is inverted)
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: e (type the letter 'e')
(the slope/distance/bearing label is erased)
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: d (type the letter 'd')
(the slope/distance/bearing label is drawn again)
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: t (type the letter 't')
Specify temporary tail label or <none>: HP (type 'HP')
Specify end point of label or [Bump Flip Rotate Invert Erase Draw Styles Mini Tail] <none>: (select a point using the mouse)
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Select next point or [Arc Target Styles Mini sWap] <quit>:
The Bump option will move the Slope-Distance-Bearing label away from the design line. This is useful if you want the label to avoid another line in your drawing. Currently the label is moved out an increment equal to 0.5 times the current Text height. You can configure the total number of increments and the scale factor in the System Options dialog.
When you use the Flip option, the Slope-Distance-Bearing label will automatically flip to the opposite side. If the label is split with a portion on the top of the line and a portion on the bottom, each portion will flip to it's opposite side. The Rotate option will rotate the text while maintaining the same location. The Invert option will both rotate and flip the label at the same time.
When you use the Erase option, it will remove the label. The Draw option restores it to the last location. Additionally, if you use the Style dialog to change any label settings, you need to Draw the label again to update it.
The Tail option allows you to add a temporary tail label for this label only. For a permanent tail label, use the Style dialog.
Note, these options will not change the actual settings for this style. Instead it just affects this label temporarily. Your next slope label will always appear according to the settings in the Style dialog.
Styles/ Mini/ Swap options
Styles/ Mini/ Swap options
The command ECS starts the Styles dialog box. Also from the commandline, when prompted for a point while using EC Pro in design mode you have the option to change the settings. This can be done on the fly without losing your place.
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: <Default>
Specify first point or [Styles Mini sWap] <quit>: s (type the letter 's')
The label styles dialog box should appear as shown below or at the top of this page. There is also a quick mini dialog that you can invoke using 'M' instead of 'S' at most prompts or by typing ECM at the commandline. Select a style in the Alt Style select box. Press OK.
This next section only applies when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
The Swap option will switch between the Current and Alternate styles. This can save you time if you frequently need to use two styles at any point in time while designing.
Current Style: <Default> Alternate Style: FS
Specify first point or [Styles Mini sWap] <quit>: w (type the letter 'w')
Current Style: FS Alternate Style: <Default>
See Label Styles for more information about the dialog.
List of Commands
List of Commands
EC - Starts the main program
EC-ACTIVATE - Completes the activation.
EC-DEFAULTS - Load some defaults.
EC-HELP - Opens this website for help and support.
ECM - Shows the Mini Styles and Settings dialog.
EC-REGISTER - Starts the registration process.
EC-RELOAD - Reads the program source again from the hard drive.
EC-RESET - Resets all the variables for the program.
ECS - Shows the Styles and Settings dialog
EC-SET-LANG - Changes the language (only applicable when Language Config (ec-lang.ini) file is available).
EC-SET-UNITS - Changes the units (only applicable when Language Config (ec-lang.ini) file is available).
EC-STYLES - Commandline interface for Load, Save, Import, and Export of Styles.
EC-UPDATE - Invoke the update checker.
EC-VER - Displays the current version information.
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