Home Design Software by SoftPlan

Duplicate Does Not Change the Angle of a Symbol

Version 12 has changed the Duplicate function so that it does not change the angle of a Symbol. Previous versions of SoftPlan would change the angle of the symbol.
Load a drawing that has several of the same symbols on it, make sure the symbols are on different angles. Edit one of the symbols to be dashed. Select Edit à Duplicate and click on the symbol that was changed to dashed, click ok and then click on the remaining symbols that are of the same type. The remaining symbols will change to dashed but the angle of the symbol will not change.

Symbols Snap to Corners

Version 12 is improved when you draw a symbol that is to be placed in the inside corner of two walls. The symbol will automatically snap to the corner. This eliminates the need to use the Move command to move the symbol into position manually after it has already been drawn.
Select the symbol you want to draw by going to Draw > Symbol. Click the From key near the corner to set the rear side of the symbol on a parallel wall. The symbol appears. Move the cursor to position the symbol to the correct side. Press the To key near the corner to place the symbol in the desired location. The symbol will automatically snap to the inside corner.

Symbol Offsets

Exploding compound symbols will allow individual symbols to maintain their offset. In version 11, the individual symbols would have to be edited again for their offset. Versions prior to 11 would not allow compound symbols.
A compound symbol occurs when one or more unexploded symbols are used in the creation of a new symbol. Symbols such as the "assembled 51” vanity", "assembled couch & tables", etc. in the Interior Decor symbol library are compound symbols. If the "assembled vanity" is exploded, the sink and taps will remain at the correct offset so they are usable on the top of the counter.

When Sorting a System Library a Symbol Preview Window Displays

SoftPlan Version 12 has added the ability to view your library symbols as they are being sorted within the System Library. This helps prevent any confusion or errors while sorting/moving symbols within a library, as you will be given a preview of the symbol being modified.

Select File > System Library.
From the Configure Library menu that appears select the appropriate Library you wish to work with.
Select the Sort option.
The Order Symbols window will open, displaying the symbol names found within the particular library you had selected. As you scroll through and select the symbols you wish to sort, a preview of the symbol will appear in the preview window on the right-hand side.

Duplicate Does Not Change the Angle of a Symbol

Version 12 has changed the Duplicate function so that it does not change the angle of a Symbol. Previous versions of SoftPlan would change the angle of the symbol.
Load a drawing that has several of the same symbols on it, make sure the symbols are on different angles. Edit one of the symbols to be dashed. Select Edit à Duplicate and click on the symbol that was changed to dashed, click ok and then click on the remaining symbols that are of the same type. The remaining symbols will change to dashed but the angle of the symbol will not change.

SoftPlan Symbol Location Added to the Setup Options Dialog

SoftPlan has the ability to retrieve all SoftPlan symbols from another installation of the program. This new feature is a great benefit for companies who are running multiple stations of the program on a network and want a central location for all customized symbols. Version 12 will allow all library items (including Cabinets, Cabinet Faces, Electrical, Elevation Openings, Openings, Paint, Posts, Shutters, Speed Notes, Stairs and Symbols) to be stored in one location. Several installations can be set to re-direct their own SoftPlan symbol location to the same installation when setup on a LAN (local area network). New symbol can be created on any station and all other stations will have immediate access to it. Another benefit is the ease of which up-to-date costs can be maintained with library items. When one person updates any cost information, that information is immediately available to all other stations. This ensures that all drawings are using the same symbols, regardless of which computer the drawing was created on.
Select File > System Options > Setup Options. Choose the SoftPlan Symbol Location button. With the Use Default option checked, all library items are read from the local installation of the program. Therefore, to read the symbols from another installation, uncheck the Use Default checkbox. Choose the Browse button. In the Browse for Folder dialog, navigate to the SoftPlan installation folder you wish to use as the central location for all symbols.
An installation of the program should be done on the computer used as the central location, or server computer, even if that computer will not be used to run the program on.

Hidden Options Added for Symbols

SoftPlan Version 12 has added the ability to now select an option for symbols to be hidden. Selecting this option would then allow you to place and have your symbols on a drawing, view them in Softview, but not have them display on the printed hard copy. For example, when depicting furniture placement, the final result will not affect the printed plans.

To demonstrate this feature you must have a drawing open which contains symbols. If you do not have a drawing, simply use one of the sample drawings provided with the program.

Select Edit > Edit item.
Click on a symbol you wish to configure as hidden. The symbol edit window will open.
Place a checkmark in the empty box beside the Hidden field. Select OK.
The symbols will display with dashed lines in plan so it is visibly known that they do have their Hidden property set. These symbols will be visible in 3D as well, but will not be included on your printed drawings.