This is the problem we are experiencing: we open an *.dwg AutoCad drawing in StarDraw, we select a unit scale of 1" as per the *.dwg scale and we configure the grid of StarDraw in document properties to 1".

So far all is good and all items in *.dwg are to scale with the StarDraw grid and tools. However, when we go to insert a pictorial symbol, let's say an Audica microdot, which is 4" in diameter, it appears on our drawing as a microscopical dot. We didn't even notice it was there until we realised what was happening. To get a reasonable view of the inserted symbol, we need to scale it up by 2050%.

Any help with this minor problem will be greatly appreciated in helping us evaluate our demo version.

Pasquale

The Pictorial Schematic Symbols in Stardraw are not drawn to scale - they are Schematics.

You will notice, for example, that Speakers are not drawn at the same scale as a Microphone - quite deliberately - so that you can see all the relevant products in a drawing.

The Rack Layout Symbols, however, are drawn to scale.

You have several options open to you:

1. Specify a different scale when you import your AutoCAD drawing so that when you add a Pictorial Schematic Symbol, the size is what you desire - this would be done through trial and error, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure out the right scale you need. This does depend on your drawing.

2. Use Rack Layout Symbols

3. You can resize the Symbol once it is in your drawing - you just need to turn on "Scale Symbols" from the Options Menu. You can then grab the corner nodes of the Symbol and drag it out to the size you need. Hint: if you hold down the SHIFT key, it will keep the aspect ratio of the symbol.

4. Depending on how many Symbols you need, you could create your own and drag them into "My Libraries" so that you can re-use them each time without having to resize them each time.

Unless you need to maintain a "to scale" drawing, I would recommend option 1. You can always save it out again back to the original Scale.

David Snipp
Stardraw.com Ltd