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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

TurboCAD Africa is dedicated to providing customers with a superior level of service. Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding

installation and activation, online orders and downloads.

Technical Frequently Asked Questions

TurboCAD 2D XYZ Axis: 2D lines becoming skew

1. Your lines become skew (see figure below) most probably due to holding down the mouse wheel and simultaneously moving the mouse.

2. To rectify the problem:
2.1. Right click anywhere in model space to call up the standard view toolbar (refer to the figure below).
2.2. In the second row select the world plan icon (the first icon on the left of the row of icons, the red circle indicate the world plan icon).

3. Your lines should now be horizontal or vertical as originally planned.

Scaling a drawing from a JPEG or PNG image into TurboCAD

In this example, we are going to draw a house floor plan similar to that of a copied jpeg or png house plan image. You must keep in mind that you will not get the exact dimensions as those given on the image but very close to it depending on how accurate your first dimension was placed, but any dimension or line can be edited to suit your needs.

Method to scale an image to a TurboCAD drawing.

  1. Save the image of the house plan in a known folder. The image can be either in JPEG or PNG format.
  2. Open TurboCAD using a template that you created or the Normal Metric template supplied by TurboCAD.
  3. In the opened drawing add another layer called ‘Image’ with its particular distinctive colour (Dark grey in this case). Make sure that this layer is the active layer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To insert the image into the TurboCAD Model space and to scale the image the following steps must be followed.

Steps:

1. In TurboCAD – Select, Insert > Picture > From File.

 

2. Change to the folder where the image was stored.

 

3. If you cannot see the image change the ‘Files of Type to ‘All’.

 

4. Select the image in the folder and click on Open to insert the drawing in TurboCAD.

 

5. Select the image and ensure that the whole drawing and dimensions are selected

 

6. Zoom in on the section you want to dimension. Change the dimension text size to 20. Select the orthogonal dimension option and insert one known dimension. Be as accurate as possible when doing this.

 

7. Take the original dimension 6700 (6,7m) and divide this by 181.77.
The answer should be 36.8597678. Round this figure down to 8597.

 

8. Select the image and right click to access the local menu of the image.
It is important to select the ‘Keep aspect Ratio’.

 

9. Enter the number 36.8597 in Scale X box (the same number will appear in the Scale Y box in the inspector bar) and press Enter. Your original dimension will now disappear.

 

10. Select Zoom Extends

11. Change the dimension text size to 120 and re-dimensioning the same side again, it should be very close to the original 6700. If not change the dimension to 6700 in the Size X box.

12. To check the accuracy of the dimensions, dimension another given dimension and compare with the distance on the image.

13. The Image has now been scaled to indicate scale 1:1 when dimensioning the house plan.

14. The lines drawn in this manner can be converted to polylines and converted to walls or the wall tool could also be used to accomplish the task of drawing the walls.

15. Doors, windows and other utilities can now also be placed in the drawing.

How Do I Reset My Settings To Default?

If you​​ find that certain keyboard keys stopped working, you can set your Workspace to Default by following these steps:

(Please note: This will set any assigned keys as well as toolbars to default.)

 

1. Click on drop down menu “View” > “Toolbars”.

 

2. Click on “Options” in the Customise window that opens, then click on “Default”.

How Do I Change Between User Interfaces?

In the later versions of TurboCAD there is three different user interfaces available: TurboCAD Classic, Default and Custom. I will now explain to you how to change between these user interfaces.

We’ve often get the query from our experienced TurboCAD users after upgrading. “The user interface is very different than what they are used to”.

The good news is that you can change between these user interfaces and always have the option to set it to the old familiar​​ “TurboCAD Classic”​​ lighter interface.

To change between these user interfaces:

1. Open any drawing or template.

 

2. Click on drop down menu “View” > “Toolbars”.

 

3. Click on​​ the​​ “Options” at the top left of the “Customise” window that opens.

 

4. Click on the “Styles and Themes” tab.

 

5. Select the user interface theme you prefer.

 

TurboCAD classic

Default

Custom Theme

 

6. Now you can close all the pop up windows.

How Do I Manage Viewports?

Model Space to Paper Space

Model space is the space you use to create your drawing on. Paper space is the space​​ where you scale your drawing​​ for printing. Always draw full scale​​ (1:1)​​ on the model space then scale the drawing in paper space.

After a drawing has been created in the model space you first have to create a viewport of the drawing​​ to insert into​​ paper space.

Use the following steps to create a view of a drawing created in model space:

 

1. Click on drop-down menu “View” and then click on “Named​​ Views”​​ and select “Create View” from the fly-out.

 

2. Now cover the entire view required in the selection rectangle by clicking once with​​ the mouse button​​ to start the rectangle, and then clicking again to finish the rectangle.

 

3. The create named view window will pop up, insert a name for the view in the “View Name” field and press O.K.

You can create as many views as you want from the model space to add on to the paper space.

 

4. Go to the paper space by clicking on the paper space tag at the bottom left of your screen.​​

The blank paper that is shown is the area you will print from (Paper space).​​ 

 

5. To insert a viewport on to your paper space click​​ on drop-down menu “View” and click on​​ “Viewport”​​ and select “Viewport’ on the fly-out.

 

6. Now drag, with your mouse cursor while holding down the mouse button, from top left to bottom right the approximate size you want the viewport to ocupy. The named view window will pop up. Click on the desired viewport then on “Go to” and then on “Close”. Your selected view will apear in the space selected for the viewport.

 

7. To scale your viewport, select the viewport by using the select tool and clicking on the border of the viewport. Now right click and select “Properties”. The properties window will pop up. Select the viewport option on the left, and then in the viewport properties window tick the “Fixed” box and set the preferred scale ratio for example 1:2. Make sure you set the fixed scale ratio to a size that will fit on your paper.​​

 

8. The viewport can also be resized by draging the selector rectangle.

 

9. To hide the border around the viewport for printing, click on the border using your select tool. Then right click and select “Properties” and click on to the viewport option on the left hand side. In the viewport properties window uncheck the box next to “Visible Box”.

 

10. To print the viewport click on drop-down menu “File” and then on “Print preview”. Click on the “Page setup” option at the top of the window. In the page setup window check that the paper space printing scale

is set to 1:1 Full scale, press O.K and then press Print.

How Do I Switch AutoCAD Work Alike Off?

In the newer versions of TurboCAD Professional you have the function to switch to a 2D AutoCAD work alike mode.

We often find that our experienced TurboCAD users have trouble​​ when this is switched on​​ when upgrading. Not to worry, switching to and from this mode is a simple setting. The below instructions will explain​​ how to switch the AutoCAD work alike​​ mode off.

 

1. Open any drawing or template in TurboCAD.

 

2. Click on drop down menu “View” > “Toolbars”.

 

3. Click on the “Options” at the top left of the “Customise” window that opens.

 

4. Change the “Default style” by clicking on the drop down arrow next to “LTE workspace” under “Workspace”.

 

5. Click on “Default workspace” to change the style to the normal TurboCAD mode.

 

To switch on the AutoCAD work alike mode, select LTE workspace in step 4.

Download Information

Where should I save the download file?

You can save the download file anywhere you like but you should make sure to remember that location or the name of the downloaded file. Most people find it easiest to save their download file on their Desktop.

How do I download my purchase?

You can download by either clicking the opening your PDF download  in your email order or directly in your customer account Account Login. TurboCAD Africa also offer a download centre where all TurboCAD & TurboFloorPlan files are hosted. In your account, enter your credentials in order to log in, and then click on “Software” where you will find the list of all your orders. By clicking on the Download button you will be able to download your purchase. It will ask you to Save Target As in Microsoft® Internet®Explorer® or Save Link As in Mozilla® Firefox® and Google® Chrome®. Do not rename the download file as this can cause installation problems.

Download Centre

What will happen when I download?

Once the download starts, you will see a pop-up with a status bar and a percentage that will climb to 100%.

What should I do after I download?

When the download finishes, you should go to the location where you saved the file and double-click on it to begin the installation.

I finished downloading my purchase. Where was the file saved?

The file was saved in the default “Save As” location specified by your browser, or the location you selected in the “Save As” window that appeared when the download began. If you know the name of the download file, you can search for the file on your computer.

How can I re-download software that I have already purchased?

You can re-download your software by clicking login into your account portal, then clicking “Downloads” to view the available downloads for purchased products. Click on the relevant download button to redownload your software.

What is the Extended Download Service?

Software problems are often caused by a system crash, computer virus or technical bugs. In case you didn’t create a backup of your hard disk, you risk losing the software you bought and installed. To avoid such a loss, you can protect your software easily with our Extended Download Service. By purchasing the Extended Download Service, you are able to re-download your software again for up to two years from the order date. When and how to reclaim the Extended Download Service? Use the Account Login to find your previous purchase in the “Order History And Details” section. You are now able to re-download your software.

How do I get a physical version of my downloaded product?

You may purchase a back up disc at the time of checkout. If you did not purchase it at check out, contact TurboCAD Training & Support on info@turbocad.co.za to purchase a back up disc.

How do I get my serial number or unlock code?

If your product requires a serial number or unlock code, you can find it in the Order Confirmation email that was sent to you when you submitted the order. Your order confirmation email will have a PDF document enclosed with the Activation & Serial keys to get started. TurboCAD Africa will thereafter provide you with the Activation & Serial keys to continue enjoying the full features of your purchased software.

What do I do if my serial number or unlock code is not working?

First, make sure you have the correct serial number or unlock code. You can get your serial number or unlock code from the Order Confirmation email that was sent when the order was submitted and completed.

Second, please note that serial numbers, registration numbers, unlock codes, and passwords are case-sensitive. Make sure you are entering your code in upper case characters. If you still have problems, contact TurboCAD Training & Support on info@turbocad.co.za

Website Troubleshooting

Why do I need to set my browser to accept cookies?

Our commerce system is cookie dependent. We use cookies to track products in your shopping cart, as well as discounts and other attributes of your order. The cookie identifies your cart contents (products, discounts, etc.) or order information (billing and personal information is not saved in the cookie). Each time you make a purchase on the site, the cookie is used to speed up the checkout process and enhance your shopping experience.

Are cookies a security risk?

No. Our commerce system encrypts all cookies. Also, the cookie contains no personal information, just a unique identifier for our system to recognize your browser.

How do I set up my browser to accept cookies?

If you’re using Microsoft® Internet® Explorer® 6.0 or higher, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options. Then, in the Internet Options window, click the Privacy tab. The default setting is Medium, which allows you to accept cookies. You can move the slider to change the security setting if it is not set to Medium. If the setting is Custom click the Advanced button and make sure both first-party and third-party cookies are set to be accepted. If you’re using Microsoft® Internet® Explorer® 5.x, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options. Click the Security tab. Select the Internet Zone and click Custom Level. Scroll to the Cookies options and select Enable. If you’re using Mozilla® Firefox® 2.0 or higher, on the Tools menu, click Options. Click the Privacy tab and select Accept cookies from sites.

Software asks for activation every time I launch?

If activation is required every time you launch the software, then there may be a problem with registry virtualization. To get around this launch our software by right clicking the desktop icon then choosing run as administrator from the local menu that pops up. You will be required to activate one final time.

More Questions?

Our friendly support team is here to help! Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance with your online order.

+27 (0)86 100 1277
info@turbocad.co.za

Contact Us

  • 298 Stokkiesdraai Street, Erasmusrand, Pretoria, 0165
  • Phone: +27 (0)86 100 1277

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