Tablayer

In the export process there are three methods to convert CADMATIC Hull fragments to AutoCAD layers. In all these methods the tablayer file plays an essential role. In combination with the environment setting %DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER% two different conversions can be generated:

  1. DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER=NO – Fragments are placed in AutoCAD layers. The pen number of each element from CADMATIC Hull is placed in the same colour number in AutoCAD.
  2. DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER=YES – Fragments are placed in AutoCAD layers together with a specified pen number for each layer. The colour of each fragment or layer can be specified. It is still possible to preserve individual CADMATIC Hull pen numbers for the elements in a specific fragment or layer.
  3. Another method of CADMATIC Hull fragment to AutoCAD layer mapping is a more Hull specific conversion. With this method it is possible to specify for each construction type in which layer and with which pen number CADMATIC Hull elements are exported. For more information see Export to Layers.

The DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER setting is only considered in the export process. In the import process only AutoCAD layers can be converted to different fragment numbers (the first method).

Method 1

If DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER=NO or if DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER is not defined, each line in the tablayer file has the following format:

Hull_fragment    AutoCAD_layer

The Hull fragment is expressed in a numerical value, and the AutoCAD layer is a string value.

20    Shape

21    Part_in_section

79    Part_in_view

With this format each drawing element in the DXF/DWG files will get the same colour number as the element in the CADMATIC Hull drawings. This means that if an element in Hull has for example colour (pen number) 4, the converted element in the DXF/DWG file also has colour number 4.

Method 2

If the DXF_COLOR_BY_LAYER=YES environment variable is used in Label 1 in the configuration file, all elements in a certain CADMATIC Hull fragment will get colour bylayer after conversion. In this case the used tablayer file must contain a third column that specifies the colour of the AutoCAD layer. The tablayer file has then the following format:

Hull_fragment    AutoCAD_layer    Colour_of_ the_ layer

With colour number -999 all entities in that specific fragment get the same colour number in the DXF/DWG as they have in the CADMATIC Hull model.

20    Shape    3

21    Part_in_section    4

40    Profile    -999

79    Part_in_view    5

In this example fragment 20 is converted to the AutoCAD layer Shape with colour number 3. All elements in fragment 20 get the colour BYLAYER and are therefore presented in the DXF/DWG with colour 3. All elements in fragment 40 are put in layer Profile with their respective colour numbers.

Note:     The third column of the tablayer file has to contain a numerical value (not a colour designation).

Note:        This format of the tablayer file can only be used in the export process not in the import process.

Method 3

With the third method the tablayer file is written by the export process depending on the specified conversion file. See Export to Layers for more information.