DataDrafter Documentation Library

DataDrafter Quick Start Guide

The following guide provides the information you need to get started quickly using DataDrafter. There are four major components to the application. All you need is a basic understanding of how to use each component to get going.

The four components of DataDrafter are:

Graphics Designer	The Graphics Designer is a simple CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) tool for creating vector drawings. It works like most popular tools that create vector graphics.
Object Modeler	The Object Modeler is used to describe the format and type of data that you want to maintain. For example, if you are going to use DataDrafter to manage office space, then this is where you would define attributes required for furniture, buildings, rooms, etc.
Link Manager	The Link Manager is used to describe your real world situation as a hierarchy of nodes. These nodes can be linked to drawings, elements in drawings and also to data types. This results in a collection of graphics and data this is navigable with using the nodes or the graphics. You can also configure the nodes in such a way that they are libraries of reusable drop and drag components.
Data Editor	The Data Editor allows you to enter information for items you add to the Link Manager. The editor is displayed automatically if needed when a node is selected. The editor displays a simple form that matches the attributes defined in the Object Modeler for a given item type.

Figure 1 shows where these components are located in the main application window.

Link Manager

Figure 1

Graphics Designer

Data Editor

Object Modeler

Step 1 - Create A Drawing Using Graphics Designer

In the Graphics Designer, click on the Drawing tab.
Click on the New Drawing button . A new drawing will be opened automatically and displayed in the applications central desktop area.
Click on the View tab.
Click on the Command property to select a drawing command.
Move the mouse to the drawing area and click the left mouse button. Depending on the command selected, enter one or more points to draw shapes by moving the mouse and clicking the left mouse button. Use the ctrl key to enter the last point for multipoint shapes. Use the right mouse button to redo the previous point.
Click on the Select Element button when done drawing.
Click on the Drawing tab.
Click on the Save Drawing button .

Step 2 - Create a Data Template Using the Object Modeler

In the Object Modeler, click on the Attributes tab.
Click on the New Attribute button.
Enter an attribute name in Name property and hit enter.
Repeat the previous steps to create other attributes as needed.
Click on the Choose button .
Check the attributes you have created.
Click on the Copy button .
Click on the Details tab.
Click on the New Detail button .
Enter a detail name in the Name property and hit enter.
Click on the Paste Attribute button .
Repeat the previous steps to create other details as needed.
Click on the Copy Detail button .
Click on the Templates tab.
Click on the New Template button .
Enter a template name in the Name property and hit enter.
Click on the Paste Detail button.
Repeat the previous steps to create other templates as needed.

Step 3 - Create a Link Group Using the Link Manager

This step is only required if there is not already a Link Group or you want to start a new one. To see if there is already a Link Group click on the Tree tab in the Link Manager. The current Link Group is displayed in the drop list just below the tool bar. If you do not need a new Link Group then proceed to step 4.
In the Link Manager, click on the Groups tab.
Click on the New Group button .
Use the default group name or enter a new group name in the Name property and hit enter.

Step 4 - Create a Link Using the Link Manager

In the Link Manager, on the Tree tab.
Click on the New Link button .
Click on the Edit Link toggle button .
Use the default link name or enter a new link name in the Name property then hit enter.
Click on the Template property value field to drop down a list of templates.
Select the desired template from the list.
Click on the Edit Link toggle button again to return to the tree view.

Step 5 - Attach the Link to A Drawing Element

Select a shape in the drawing. To do this, move the mouse over the shape and click the left mouse button.
Click the Link menu in the application main window.
Select the Attach Link to Element menu item.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 to create more links attached to drawing elements as needed.

Step 6 - Enter Item Data Using the Data Editor

To enter data for your items, select a link in the Link Manager for which a template has been specified. This can be done either by selecting the link directly or by selecting a drawing element associated with a link.
The Data Editor will be displayed automatically when needed.
Just hit the Save button after entering or changing data in the Data Editor.