TurboCAD Snaps and Dimensioning?

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Thankyou David.

I am not so certain of the Windows link unless some “up-date” from Seattle is the culprit, because I have used both TurboCAD and Alibre since Mr Gates changed my OS to W11.

That is possible but I think user-error the most likely.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Another test….

I copied the TurboCAD 2024 Deluxe drawing via a USB stick from my WIN-11 PC  to my other computer, running TC 2019 Deluxe on Win-7. And perfectly happily.

It would not open: I don’t know if by Microsoft or IMSI, or both.

However, using a partial drawing already on the TC2019 library, I could produce a new 2D sketch of those cylinder covers without difficulty, even solving the aesthetic problem of making 2 unequal discs share a central stud – the mismatch loses a mere 0.03″ from one side.

Crucially, the dimensions worked as they should.

.

I saved the drawing, copied it back to the USB stick and opened in TC2024 for printing. Which it did – but I could not dimension the rectangle (the cylinder block outline) in TC2024: that snaps/dimensioning conflict again.

The dimensions and snaps in the 2024 edition I have, will not work together.

Those in TC 2019 on a different computer, do work.

Result shown below: ignore the coloured fragments.

 

So “Sit-Rep” as they used to say… whoever “they” were. Characters in Z-Cars perhaps.

 

One WIN-7 PC with fully working edition of TurboCAD (2019 Deluxe), but no printer.

One WIN-11 PC holding TurboCAD 2024 Deluxe, Alibre Atom, plus A4 printer.

BUT

The former cannot read the latter’s drawings but the latter can read, and print, the former’s.

The two CAD programmes’ file type menus share only one industry-common format, for 2D images only, and with no guarantee of success.

The TurboCAD 2024 dimensioning does not work.

 

Me able to operate:

TurboCAD sufficiently for orthographic drawings of parts and general-arrangements (assemblies) of fairly complicated machines, perhaps 3D models of simple, single parts, but not 3D assemblies. Also to print the drawings, though I find the method very confusing and difficult.

 Alibre Atom just enough to model single components in 3D, derive and print their elevation drawings, though not easily; but not 3D Assemblies of more than a very few, very simple Parts*.

 

So at least I can get by, switching between computers and the rival CAD programmes as necessary. Despite one-way compatibility between the two TurboCAD / OS editions on separate PCs, and none between TurboCAD and Alibre even on the same PC.

…..

*The two work in very different ways. Alibre Atom assembles copies of Parts from existing, individual files. TurboCAD necessitates creating each part on the assembly itself, though you can copy it within the same drawing. If it is possible to create separate part files other assembly drawings can share, I have not discovered how.

….

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Despite one-way compatibility between the two TurboCAD / OS editions on separate PCs, and none between TurboCAD and Alibre even on the same PC.

As I said earlier you should be able to export from TC as a DXF or DWG file and open in Alibre if needed, and also the opposite way round as these are standard file formats not specific to the CAD software..

Like many other CAD programs including Alibre you can’t open a file created with a newer version of the software on a machine with an older version. But old version files can be opened on upto date software.

I would suggest checking your TC is upto date on the new machine or reinstalling it. As well as contacting Paul Tracey.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Thankyou.

Yes, my experiment does suggest a software fault. When I open TurboCAD it says it cannot look for up-dates. I would not naturally assume those to be as basic as dimensions and snaps. I read them to mean more architectural tools and image-rendering power; possibly enhanced security too, to protect professional users’ IP.

It must have been properly installed because it was working right up to last time I used it, whenever that was – January I think.

.

 

I have tried transferring D** files but with patchy results. I forget which type I tried, but TurboCAD offers saving in DFX, DGN, DWF and DWG types; Alibre offers only four, totally different formats like STL, and I forget which D** version it can read.

I think only one of those types is readable by both programmes.

The idea was to copy all the useful TurboCAD drawings – so not many – to Alibre.

Obviously it would work only for single parts, and only by the elevation capable of yielding a useful extrusion, with no depth features like steps and tapers “down” into the screen. It would not work at all for elevations of assemblies. It would be easier and safer to print a drawing of anything not simply a flat plate, as a manual reference for creating a completely new one in Alibre.

 

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Atom should import the two that is said

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

Nigel,

If importing DXF or DWG into Atom3D, it will import into the 2D drawing workspace.  It is possible to then extract the required figures from the drawing and copy/paste them into the 2D sketch of a new part.

Depending upon how good your original drawing was, it may need some ‘clean up’ to be suitable for use in an Atom3D part.

There is an old, but quite good video covering this process – but I know you are not keen on video tutorials…

 

BUT, it seems to me like you either have some settings messed up in TurboCAD, or some internal problem has occurred that you really need to get help from IMSI or the reseller with.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Oh, I didn’t spot those two. Thanks Jason.

Errr… Do you have a different version of Atom, or a higher-grade edition of Alibre?

Mine lists only STL, STEP, SAT and OBJ, plus 3 .pdf and 2 image types, for “Export”.

However, I have just discovered the Import index lives in the Open File tool; and does increase the transfer options considerably.

 

In the meantime I have sent an e-post enquiry to Mr. Tracy, with a picture of the “can’t find updates” message that appears when I open a drawing file.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

No I said IMPORT them into Atom, why are you looking at files it will export?

I just snipped that image from Alibre’s website wher eit says what it can import.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Sorry – I looed at both lots, but anyway on the programe itself, not Alibre’s web-site. That’s why I didn’t recognise the image.

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Good Morning Graham.

For some (possibly masochistic) reason over coffee this morning, I decided to fire up my copy of TC/DL 2016 to do a simple test with snaps (as you describe) and was very suprised to find that snaps no longer worked for me at all!

As I have made no recent changes to TC that I can recall, the only change on this (Win 11) PC has been regular Windows 11 & Intel (driver) updates, that I always install when avaialble.

Somewhat perplexed, I turned to ‘Paul the CAD’s’ website and sought advice there, it being the place I always turned to in the past when having TC problems.

Paul the CAD – fixing issues…

Paul’s first suggestion ( “fixes 99%” ) didn’t work for me but his second (deleting the “Built-In” folder & restarting TC) did get my snaps back, although it also lost my custom UI settings of course (I don’t like the ‘black dropdown’ defaults)

So, it may well be that something external has upset your version of TC (as it clearly had with mine) and this second suggestion seems to have resolved my ‘loss of snaps’ problem.

That’s it, hope it helps!  I’m returning to my Happy CAD Place (with Solid Edge) now…   🙂

Regards

 

IanT

 

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Ian –

Interesting…. I discovered a fairly “old” thread on the TurboCAD users’ forum which seems also problems with snaps suspiciously around changing the OS to WIN-11. In my case I had no choice. Microsoft changed it without my authority and made a mess of my data-filing in the process.

The snaps still work for me, for the drawing itself. They fail when I try to dimension the drawing.

Anyway Paul invited to turn TurboCAD on then telephone him. I acknowledged this, saying I will on Monday rather than interrupting his weekend.

Whatever has gone wrong, is quite recent.

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