RLDraw by Typhon Technologies

Introduction
Getting Started
Drawing with the program
  Working with symbols on the drawing program
       Working with multiple symbols together
       Working with single Symbols
Symbol Descriptions
  Pipe
  Elbow
  Vessel
  Horizontal Exchanger
  Circular Exchanger
  Column
  Drum
  Control Valve
  XCV
  Hand Valve
  Tee
  PID Block
  Control Lines
  Transmitter
  Line
  Text
  Eraser
Special Operations
Adding Text to Items
Main Menu
General notes
Files Required


Introduction                                                                                                                                                        back to Top
RLDraw is a program tthat allows you to draw Process Plant style drawings (other templates to come) quickly and simply. Symbols are given which can easily be selected and placed on the drawing panel. These objects can then be modified in several ways to fit your needs (such as altering color, size, adding text, rotating). Drawings can be saved and printed.
RLDraw was originally conceived as a companion program to our software offering - RLNotes. The idea is that while making notes on ideas, it is sometimes beneficial to have the ability to quicklyu sketch something out and have it associated with your note.

Getting Started:                                                                                                                                                   back to Top
To install RLDraw - simply copy the executable file to a folder you have created on your hard drive. Double click on the .exe file to run. Other files required are listed below in the Files Required section.

Drawing with the program:                                                                                                                                   back to Top
When the program is started you will see a form as in Figure 1
Image1

This is the main screen and place where most work will occur.
On the left side is the panel containing the current symbols that are selectable as well as the eraser tool. On the right side is the drawing panel. To start drawing - simply click on one of the symbols (text or picture) then click on the drawing panel where you want to place it.

Working with symbols on the drawing panel:                                                                                                         back to Top
Once a symbol is on the drawing panel (depending on the symbol) - you may perform various operations on the symbol.
To select a symbol on the drawing panel - move your mouse over it. When the mouse is over the object (not on an edge) - the symbol's edges will turn RED. This means the item is the one you will be working with.
    Working with multiple symbols together:                                                                                                            back to Top
If you click on the symbol while holding down the CTRL key it will turn GREEN which denotes that it has been selected to be manipulated. Continuing to hold down the CTRL key and selecting other symbols causes them to be tied together for whatever manipulation you do. Things that may be done to mulitple selected items include: Grouping them together, moving them as one item, Copying them, changing their color, or Erasing them.  The symbol may now have various operations performed on it depending on which symbol it is (see symbol descriptions below). Once you have selected an item you may use the Left Mouse button held down and move the item(s) around
          Working with single symbols:                                                                                                                          back to Top
As you move your mouse to the edge of a symbol it's edges will turn BLUE - this means that you are on the edge of the symbol and may perform operations that require you be on the edge to perform (resize for objects that allow that).
While on a symbol - there will be some Right-Click Menu items available depending on the object. These menu items include things such as Rotate, Color, Adding/Editing Text, Font changing, Copy, Erase. Not all of these apply to all symbols (see symbol descriptions below).

Symbol Descriptions:                                                                                                                                                   back to Top

Pipe: - use this to draw process piping. The default pipe will be a horizontal piece of pipe. The following operations can be performed on a Pipe -
  1) Resize length - grab the left or right side of the pipe (edge denoted by symbol turning BLUE) by left clicking down on the left/right edge. Drag that edge to the left/right while holding down the mouse. The pipe will extend until you release the mouse.
  2) Resize height /diameter: - grab the top or bottom edge of the pipe (edge denoted by the symbol turning BLUE) by left clicking down on the top/bottom edge. Drag that edge while holding down the mouse. The pipe will expand in height till you release the mouse.
  3) Move the pipe: - by selecting the body of the pipe (denoted by the symbol turning RED) and holding down the left mouse - you mah drag the symbol to where you want it, then release the mouse to place it.
  4) Rotate pipe: - the horizontal default pipe may be rotated to a vertical pipe by right clicking and choosing Rotate Right or Rotate Left.
  5) Copy pipe: - by right clicking and choosing Copy - you can create a duplicate pipe of the one you have selected. This is expecially handy if you have resized the pipe in any manner. Copying ensures that all pipes are the same size.
  6) Erase pipe: - the pipe may be erased from the drawing panel by right clicking and selecting Erase.
  7) Color pipe: - the color of the pipe may be changed by right clicking in the body and selecting Color. A color dialog appears which allows you to select what color you want.
  8) Add Text to pipe: by right clicking once your on the pipe you may select to add text to it. Adding text is covered in the Adding Text Help area below.

                                                                                                                                                                                            back to Top
 Elbow: - use this to draw an elbow to connect process piping when it turns. The default elbow is an Upper Left Elbow. The following operations can be performed on an Elbow. -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing the edge of an elbow (denoted by symbol turning BLUE) you may hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse in order to enlarge the elbow. (note: resizing is done proportinally on both axis). Release the mouse when the elbow is the size you want it.
  2) Move: - by grabbing the body of the Elbow (denoted by symbol turning RED) and holding down the left mouse button, you may move the symbol to where you want to place it and release the mouse.
  3) Rotate: - while on the symbol, right click to call up a menu that will let you choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left.  When the Elbow rotates Right from the Upper Left - it becomes an Upper Right Elbow. When the Elbow rotates Left from the Upper Left it becomes a Lower Left elbow. The Elbow may be rotated around until it is the proper elbow to make the connection you wish (NOTE: the elbow is a single line, therefore it is only the outside edge of your elbow. You will have to connect the inside edges of your pipe lines in order to have it look like connected pipe that turns).
  4) Copy: - by right clicking on the Elbow while over it, you may select Copy from the menu. This will create a copy of the current elbow.
  5) Erase: - by right clicking on the Elbow while over it, you may select Erase from the menu. This will Delete the symbol from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - by right clicking on the Elbow while over it, you may select Color from the menu. This will display a color chooser dialog so that you may select which color you want for the Elbow.
  7) Add Text: - by right clicking on the Elbow while over it, you may select Add Text from the menu. This will allow you to add text to the symbol Adding text is covered later in help in the Adding Text section.

                                                                                                                                                                                          back to Top
Vessel: - use this to draw a Vessel on the drawing panel. A vessel is essentially a square.  The following operations may be performed on a Vessel. -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Vessel (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the vessel taller or wider. Release the mouse button when you have it where you want it.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - when the Vessel is selected and you right click - you may choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left from the menu. Whichever is selected, the vessel will rotate that direction.
  4) Copy: - when the Vessel is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the vessel. This will create a copy of the Vessel on the drawing surface.
  5) Erase: - when the Vessel is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the vessel. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Vessel is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the vessel. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the vessel.
  7) Add Text: - when the Vessel is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                          back to Top
Horizontal Exchanger (HExch): - use this to draw Exchangers on the drawing panel. The default exchanger is a Horizontal exchanger. The following operations may be performed on an Exchanger -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Exchanger (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Exchanger resize on that dimension.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left from the menu. Whichever is selected, the exchanger will rotate that direction. When rotated, a Horizontal Exchanger becomes in essence a vertical Exchanger.
  4) Copy: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Exchanger. This will create a copy of the Exchanger on the drawing surface.
  5) Erase: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Exchanger. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Exchanger. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Exchanger.
  7) Add Text: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                     back to Top
Circular Exchanger (CExch): - use this to draw a circular exchanger on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a circular exchanger -  
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Exchanger (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Exchanger resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left from the menu. Whichever is selected, the exhanger will rotate that direction. When rotated, a Circular Exchanger is still just a circle. Therefore, rotating it is not all that usefull.
  4) Copy: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Exchanger. This will create a copy of the Exchanger on the drawing surface.
  5) Erase: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Exchanger. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Exchanger. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Exchanger.
  7) Add Text: - when the Exchanger is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                     back to Top
Column: - use this to draw a vertical Column on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a Column.
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Column (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Exchanger resize on that side.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - Columns cannot be rotated.
  4) Copy: - when the Column is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Column. This will create a copy of the Column on the drawing surface.
  5) Erase: - when the Column is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Column. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Column is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Column. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Column edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the Column is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                      back to Top
 Pump: - use this to draw a Pump on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a Pump.
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Pump (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Pump resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - Pumps cannot be rotated.
  4) Copy: - when the Pump is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Pump. This will create a copy of the Pump on the drawing surface.
  5) Erase: - when the Pump is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Pump. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Pump is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Pump. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Pump edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the Pump is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                     back to Top
Drum: - use this to draw a horizontal Drum on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a Drum -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Drum (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Pump resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - Drums cannot be rotated.
  4) Copy: - when the Drum  is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Drum. This will create a copy of the Drum on the drawing surface.
  5) Erase: - when the Drum is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Drum. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Drum is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Drum. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Drum edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the Drum is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                back to Top
CtrlValve: - use this draw an upright Control Valve on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a Control Valve -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Control Valve (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Control Valve resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - while on the symbol, right click to call up a menu that will let you choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left.  When the Control Valve rotates Right from the Upper orientation - it becomes a Right facing Control Valve. When the Control Valve rotates Left from the Left facing it becomes an Upside down Control Valve. The Control Valve may be rotated around until it is the proper Control Valve you wish.
  4) Copy: - when the Control Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Control Valve. This will create a copy of the Control Valve on the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - when the Control Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Control Valve. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Control Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Control Valve. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Control Valve edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the Control Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                   back to Top
XCV: - use this draw an upright XCV on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a XCV -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the XCV (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the XCV resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - while on the symbol, right click to call up a menu that will let you choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left.  When the XCV rotates Right from the Upper orientation - it becomes a Right facing XCV. When the XCV rotates Left from the Left facing it becomes an Upside down XCV. The XCV may be rotated around until it is the proper XCV you wish.
  4) Copy: - when the XCV is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the XCV. This will create a copy of the XCV on the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - when the XCV is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the XCV. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the XCV is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the XCV. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the XCV edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the XCV is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                  back to Top
Hand Valve (HVlv): - use this draw an upright Hand Valve on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a Hand Valve -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Hand Valve (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Hand Valve resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - while on the symbol, right click to call up a menu that will let you choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left.  When the Hand Valve rotates Right from the Upper orientation - it becomes a Right facing Hand Valve. When the Hand Valve rotates Left from the Left facing it becomes an Upside down Hand Valve. The Hand Valve may be rotated around until it is the proper Hand Valve you wish.
  4) Copy: - when the Hand Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Hand Valve. This will create a copy of the Hand Valve on the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - when the Hand Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Hand Valve. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Hand Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Hand Valve. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Hand Valve edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the Hand Valve is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                                back to Top
Tee; - use this to draw a pipe Tee on the drawing panel. The default pipe Tee is one that has an upward pointing pipe. The following operations may be performed on a Tee -
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the Tee (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the Tee resize proportionally.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: - while on the symbol, right click to call up a menu that will let you choose Rotate Right or Rotate Left.  When the Tee rotates Right from the Upward Tee orientation - it becomes a Tee with a right pointing Tee pipe. When the Tee rotates Left from the Left facing Tee pipe it becomes an downward pipe Tee. The Tee may be rotated around until it is the proper Tee you wish.
  4) Copy: - when the Tee is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the Tee. This will create a copy of the Tee on the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - when the Tee is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the Tee. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the Tee is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the Tee. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the Tee edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the Tee is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.
                                                                                                                                                                                back to Top
PID: - use this to draw a basic PID block on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a PID Block.
  1) Resizing: - by grabbing one of the edges of the PID (shown by the symbol turning BLUE) and holding down the left mouse button, you may drag that edge to make the PID resize on that orientation.
  2) Move - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3) Rotate: -PID blocks cannot be rotated.
  4) Copy: - when the PID is selected and you right click - you may choose to Copy the PID. This will create a copy of the PID on the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - when the PID is selected and you right click - you may choose to Erase the PID. This deletes it from the drawing panel.
  6) Color: - when the PID is selected and you right click - you may choose to change the color of the PID. A color chooser dialog will appear that allows you to select the color you want for the PID edge.
  7) Add Text: - when the PID is selected and you right click - you may choose to Add Text. This will add text to the symbol. Adding text is covered under the Adding Text section of help below.

                                                                                                                                                                           back to Top
Control Lines (Ctrl-Line): - use this to draw Control Lines (usually showing a relationship between PID blocks and other PID blocks or Transmitters). The following operations may be performed on a Control Line -
  1) Resizing - by grabbing one end of a Control Line and holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse - you may lengthen the line on that axis.
  2) Move - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3)  Rotate - the horizontal default Control Line may be rotated to a vertical Control Line by right clicking and choosing Rotate Right or Rotate Left.
  4) Copy: - by right clicking and choosing Copy - you can create a duplicate Control Line of the one you have selected onto the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - the Control Line may be erased from the drawing panel by right clicking and selecting Erase.
  6) Color: - the color of the Control Line may be changed by right clicking in the body and selecting Color. A color dialog appears which allows you to select what color you want.
  7) Add Text: by right clicking once your on the Control Line you may select to add text to it. Adding text is covered in the Adding Text Help area below.

                                                                                                                                                                             back to Top
Transmitter (Xmitter): - use this to draw a Transmitter on the drawing panel. The default Transmitter is a upright Transmitter. The following operations may be performed on a Transmitter -
  1) Resize - by grabbing one edge of the transmitter and holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse - you may change the size of the Transmitter on that orientation.
  2)  Move - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3)  Rotate - the upright default Transmitter may be rotated to a Right facing Transmitter by right clicking and choosing Rotate Right. From a Right facing Transmitter you may go to an Upside Down Transmitter by right clicking and selecting Rotate Right again. You may continue around (or Rotate left) until you have the desired orientation.
  4) Copy: - by right clicking and choosing Copy - you can create a duplicate Transmitter of the one you have selected onto the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - the Transmitter may be erased from the drawing panel by right clicking and selecting Erase.
  6) Color: - the color of the Transmitter may be changed by right clicking in the body and selecting Color. A color dialog appears which allows you to select what color you want.
  7) Add Text: - by right clicking once your on the Transmitter you may select to add text to it. Adding text is covered in the Adding Text Help area below.

                                                                                                                                                                            back to Top
Line: - use this to draw a horizontal or vertical line on the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on a Line -
  1) Resize - by grabbing one end of a Line and holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse - you may lengthen the line on that axis.
  2) Move - by holding down the left mouse button while in the body of the symbol (symbol turns RED) - you may move it around the drawing panel and release the mouse when you have it where you want it.
  3)  Rotate - the horizontal default Line may be rotated to a vertical Line by right clicking and choosing Rotate Right or Rotate Left.
  4) Copy: - by right clicking and choosing Copy - you can create a duplicate Line of the one you have selected onto the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - the Control may be erased from the drawing panel by right clicking and selecting Erase.
  6) Color: - the color of the Line may be changed by right clicking in the body and selecting Color. A color dialog appears which allows you to select what color you want.
  7) Add Text: - by right clicking once your on the Line you may select to add text to it. Adding text is covered in the Adding Text Help area below.

                                                                                                                                                                           back to Top
Text: - use this to add a text object (not attached to an object) onto the drawing panel. The following operations may be performed on Text -
  1)  Resize - Text that is not attached to an object may be altered in size by right clicking on it and selecting the Font menu selection. From here you may choose the Font size as well as other Font attributes such as Bold, Italics, and Font Style (name).
     a. if you grab the edge of the hover rectangle and resize it - you may make the Text become Vertical. You just need to play with it to get the feel of what you can do.
  2) Move: - by holding down the left mouse button while on the Text and moving the mouse - you may move it to where you want on the drawing panel.
  3) Rotate: - the horizontally aligned text may be changed to vertical text (right facing) by selecting Rotate Right from the right click menu while on the Text. Rotating Left will also give you right facing Text on a vertical plane from the default horizontal text.
  4) Copy: - by right clicking and choosing Copy - you can create a duplicate of the Text that you have.on the drawing panel.
  5) Erase: - the Text may be erased from the drawing panel by right clicking and selecting Erase.
  6) Color: - the color of the Text may be changed by right clicking in the body and selecting Color. A color dialog appears which allows you to select what color you want.
  7) Edit Text: - when you right click on the Text and selecting Edit Text - a text entry dialog box will appear at the top of the drawing panel. Enter the new Text here.
  8) Add Text: - by right clicking once your on the Line you may select to add text to it. Adding text is covered in the Adding Text Help area below.

                                                                                                                                                                          back to Top
Eraser: - use this tool to erase a symbol. Click on the eraser then click on the symbol you want to erase.

                                                                                                                                                                        back to Top
Special Operations: - this section covers operations that may be performed on symbols when more than one symbol is selected.
 By selecting one item and holding down the CTRL key and selecting other symbols (they will turn GREEN) - you may choose to right click and Group items together OR simply treat the selected items as a temporary group. Once grouped with the right click menu selection items are "permanently" in that group. Once a permanent group has been formed it can be operated on as a group. The following operations can be performed on items that are grouped permanently.
  1) Ungroup: - items that have been grouped together may be ungrouped by right clicking and selecting Ungroup. This ungroups ALL items. If you wanted to take 1 item out of the group, you have to ungroup all then reform the group without the one you did not want.
  2) Move: - This applies to permanently grouped or temporarily grouped items. By holding down left mouse button on a group and moving the mouse - the entire group will move. Note: you cannot move any objects off of the draw panel.
  3)  Rotate: - grouped items cannot be rotated.
  4) Color:  - you can change the edge color of all the items in the group by selecting the Color option from the right click menu while on the group. A color dialog appears which allows you to choose the color you want.
  5) Copy: - the entire group can be copied by right clicking on the group and selecting Copy from the right click menu.
  6)  Text - Text is not allowed to added to a group from the Right click menu.

                                                                                                                                                                                 back to Top
Adding Text to Items: -
From most items (not groups) you may add additional text to the symbol by selecting Add Text from the right click menu.
When you select this option a separate form opens that allows you to work with text for the object you had selected. see figure 2 below. (shown with a PID block)

figure 2

If you right click on the PID block you will get a pop menu with Add Text as an option. When you select the Add Text option a text entry box will appear at the top of the form. Enter your text here and press ENTER. The text you entered will appear on the drawing area at the top. You may move this text to where you wish it to be by left clicking (holding down) with the mouse and dragging it where you want it. Release the mouse when it is there.
This operation (add Text) may be performed for as many text items you want to add to the symbol you are working on.
If you want to modify existing text that is on the drawing panel - select the text by moving the mouse on to it and then right click. This will call up a menu with the following options:
  1)  Modify - this will cause the text entry box to appear containing the current text. You may modify the text and press ENTER when done.
  2) Font/Style - use this to change Font properties. This will cause the typical Font dialog to appear where you can modify font properties.
  3) Erase - this will erase the text that you are over.
When you are done modifying the text - click on SAVE or close the form and it will ask if you want to save. This form will close and the main form will be available.
NOTE: if you want to see how the changes will look on the main form (there are some subtle differences between forms) - click on SAVE and look at the main form.

                                                                                                                                                                         back to Top
Main Menu: - The Main menu contains the following -
  1) FILE
      a) OPEN - use this open a previously saved RLDraw file (.maa extension)
      b) SAVE - use this to save the current file you are working on 
      c) PRINT PREVIEW - use this to view a preview of what is to be printed
      d) PRINT - use this to print the current drawing
  2) HELP
      a) Program Help - calls up this file
      b) About - information about the program.

                                                                                                                                                                         back to Top
General notes on the program:
You may resize the entire program by grabbing the edge and dragging or maximize by clicking on the box at the upper right.
 
                                                                                                                                                                        back to Top
Files Required:
RLDraw.exe - the executable to run the program
RLDrawHelp.html - local html help file.
YourName.maa - your data files
RLDconfig.txt - configuration file for defaults and saved settings
Eraser2.bmp - used to show the eraser picture on the tools panel

NOTE: This program was written by Ronald L. Adams and Melora A. Adams - Jan 2012 using Microsoft C# Express 2010. This program requires a high enough version of the Dot Net framework. If you do not have the correct Dot Net framework, this program will not run.