BabaCAD Glossary
Absolute coordinates
Values of coordinates X, Y measured relative to the original point (center) of the coordinate system. See also Relative coordinates.
Action
Smallest task or interaction with user performed in command line or within BabaCAD
Alias
Command abbreviation or another name. For example. Z is shortcut for ZOOM, E is shortcut for EXTENTS, usually these two commands are called together ZOOM EXTENTS
Aligned dimension
Dimension which measures distance between two points under any angle. Dimension line is parallel to the line connecting the points that describe dimension.
Angular dimension
Dimension which measures an angle between two lines or polyline segments.
Annotation
Text or dimension or any other type of descriptive symbols or objects used to add information to your model.
Annotation
Text or dimension or any other type of descriptive symbols or objects used to add information to your model.
Annotative
Property belonging to objects, often used to describe drawings. This property allows you to automatize process of increasing / decreasing annotation. Annotative objects are defined for the paper and shown in Viewportsm while they are shown in Model Space in scale defined for the annotations.
Application button
Button shown in the upper-left corner of the application. If you click on the application button, the application menu will appear.
Application menu
Menu shown when you click the application button. Application menu contains basic commands: Restore, Move, Size, Minimize, Maximize, and Close.
Arc
Arc is a part of a circle in BabaCAD. It can be drawn using three points: start point, random point through which arc goes through, and end point. Arc has additional properties like other objects: color, layer, line type, and line width.
Arrow
Arrow consists of a dimension line and an arrowhead on the end point of dimension line.
Arrowhead
A terminator (end point marker) like arrowhead or point, stands at the end of dimension line showing beginning and end of dimension.
BabaCAD
BabaCAD is a fast growing CAD software working with Fast OpenGL graphics rendering, fast selection, and manipulation with vector objects. BabaCAD is intended for drawing, designing, and other types of computer usage in engineering practics. BabaCAD is particularly interesting for users demanding high precision, and for users demanding fast data manipulation. Some of the BabaCAD application fields are: electrical, construction and mechanical engineering, all types of architecture projects, development of topographic and geographic maps, diagram flows, organization schems, creation of offers, presentations, logotypes, greeting cards, and other type art works.
BabaCAD Users
People who use BabaCAD for any purpose.
BabaCAD is a software updated on a daily basis. After bigger changes in BabaCAD software, after several months in average, a new version of BabaCAD is released on the web site (www.babacad.com). Every new version has new possibilities and removes errors from previous versions. Users working with newer versions of BabaCAD will find everything they worked with in older versions.
BabaCAD window
Drawing area with surrounding menus, toolbars and command line. This is the space where your drawings are shown or edited. The area size depends on the position and number of toolbars and other shown elements.
Base point
1. Point for relative distance and angle for copying, moving, and rotating objects
2. Base point for inserting an external project (BASE)
3. Base point for inserting block definition (See INSERT BLOCK)
Bitmap
File format for digital presentation of a picture whose bits are referenced to pixels. In color graphics, various values present red, green, and blue pixel component. See also GIF, JPG, and TIFF.
Block
Generic name for a group of one or more objects combining to create an unique new object, which can be inserted on various places in your project. See also Block Definition and Insert Block.
Block definition
Block name, base point and collection of objects combined and placed in a logical group in your project. See Block and Insert Block.
Block Explorer palette
Block Explorer palette allows users a fast access to blocks, with visual view in a window that can be moved over the screen. Window will show all blocks in currently active drawing (dxf/dwg).
Bring To Front
Function which brings selected object in front of other overlapping objects. See also Send To Back.
BYBLOCK
Special object's property used to determine whether the object inherits color or line type from an object that holds that object. See also BYLAYER.
BYLAYER
Special object's property used to determine whether the object inherits color or line type from the layer that holds that object. See also BYBLOCK.
CAD
Abbreviation for Computer Aided Design. CAD softwares are used for designing and work with vector form of graphics information.
Cartesian coordinate system
System where position of a point is expressed by it's distance from the coordinate center, measured by X, Y coordinate axis. See also Coordinate system.
Circle
Circle is one of the objects you can draw in 2D BabaCAD space. Circle's properties are point of the circle's center, circle's radius, layer where the object belong, line width and line type of the circle.
Clipboard
Temporary memory of your computer used for quick transfer or copying the objects in BabaCAD. See functions Cut, Copy, and Paste.
CMYK
Abbreviation for „cyan, magenta, yellow, and key“. This is a stadard for determining colors with percentages of blue, red, yellow and key color – usually black color.
Color map
Table which determines intensity of red, green, and blue (RGB – red, green & blue) for each shown color.
Command line
BabaCAD's window reserved for entering text from keyboard, prompts with questions and messages to BabaCAD user.
Construction line
Construction lines are endless lines in one or both directions, known as rays as well. Construction lines can be used as a help tool for creating other objects. Construction lines do not change size of a drawing. For example, construction lines could be used to find center of a triangle, prepare several views on same object or create temporary intersections for use in Object Snaps. See also OSNAP.
Coordinate
Coordinates are numbers which determine position of points in a coordinate system (space). BabaCAD coordinates can be X and Y, while a point is determined by one X and one Y coordinate (X, Y).
Coordinate system is a system where positions of points and other objects is presented with numbers called coordinates. BabaCAD uses Cartesian coordinate system for determining positions of points. Coordinate beginning is located in the lower left part of the screen, but it can be positioned to another place when needed. Based on the way of interpreting these data, we can differ two types of coordinate system: Cartesian and polar.
Copy
Function which copies selected object to clipboard, while inserting the object from clipboard to a new location is done by calling function Paste. See also functions Cut and Paste.
Cursor
Cursor is the pointer which shows current position of mouse on the screen.
Cut
Function which deletes selected object from the drawing and copies it to clipboard, while inserting the object from clipboard to a new location is done by calling function Paste. See also functions Copy and Paste.
Database
Database is an organized collection of data usually used for support to processes demanding these data. DBMS (Database Management System) are particularly created applications for interaction with users and other applications for collecting and analysing data. World known databases and DBMS-es are: Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, mySQL, PostgreSQL, dBASE, FoxPro, IBM DB2, and others. BabaCAD programming team is able to offer connection to any database type, saving the data you edit in BabaCAD to your database. Look at BabaCAD support for Oracle Spatial.
Default drawing
Initial project in BabaCAD which is shwon after running BabaCAD program, it contains informations about BabaCAD version and web site (www.babacad.com).
Default value
Value given when you press or click ENTER. Default value is usually shown in brackets [ ] .
Measures the diameter of a circle or an arc.
Dimension
Dimensioning is a process of adding measurements in BabaCAD project. Dimension is a distance measurement from one point to another point of an object. It can be dragged so it is parallel to the line that connects these two points. Depending on the orientations, BabaCAD allows users to create two types of dimensions: Linear and Aligned dimension. Dimension styles are used for distinct formatting (determining style) elements of dimensioning. See also Linear Dimension, Aligned Dimension and Dimension Style.
Dimension style
Named group of dimension settings which determine presentation of dimensions and simplify setting variables of dimensioning system (DIMSTYLE)
Dimension text
Measurement of dimension objects (for example, distance between two points or two lines)
DWG
Standard file format for saving vector graphics. See also DXF.
drawing interchange format – file format for exchange of drawings. This is a textual or a binary file format for exporting drawings to other applications or for importing drawings from other applications. See also DWG.
Edge
Point which is also a boundary of an object.
Interface element
Interface element is an object in BabaCAD which can be customized, like toolbar, etc.
Entity
Entity in BabaCAD represents graphical information for an object, it can be circle, point, line, polyline, etc.
During installation of BabaCAD you are required to read rules for using BabaCAD software (English EULA) and click I Agree if you consider that you will respect these rules.
Extend
This function extends an object's point to another location.
External reference (xref)
File with a drawing called from a new or other drawing (XREF). It is used or placed in a new drawing. See also Block.
Fast OpenGL
Type of graphics rendering.
Font
Set of characters consisting of letters, numbers, special characters and symbols of distinct proportions and designs.
General properties
Properties in common for selection of multiple objects. They are usually color, layer, line type, line width and similar.
Geographic map
Geographic map is a simplified representation of earth surface in 2-dimensional space or a piece of paper, where only most important natural and social contents are drawn. Most geographic maps are two-dimensional. BabaCAD supports work with 2D geographic maps in the way that georeferencing is made based on TIFF images inserted as background for drawing certain objects (usually polylines). Although they mostly represent geography, maps can represent any 2D space. See also Georeferencing and TIFF file format.
Geometry
All graphical objects like lines, circles, arcs, polylines and dimensions. Nongraphical objects like line types, line widths, text styles and layers are not considered as geometry.
Georeferencing is a process of defining position of a point or collection of points in a physical spaces. In other words, it is a process of setting a raster or vector recording in certain coordinate system or map. This procedure is very important during data modelling in GIS (geographic information system) and other mapping methods. It is necessary to have a convenient reference system whenever it is necessary to combine data from different sources and use them in GIS. This is achieved by using different georeferencing technics.
GIF
File format of images with a bit lower resolution, but it is very good for work with a few colors like black and white pictures.
Grip modes – working modes with connecting points (grips)
Editting possibilities activated when the connecting points are shown on the object: Moving, and functions which should be realized in the following BabaCAD versions – Stretching, Rotating, Scaling, and Mirroring. See also Move.
Grips
Little squares shown on the object you select. After selecting a connecting point (grip), you edit the object by moving it with mouse instead of using commands.
Handle
Unique alphanumeric value of an object kept in the BabaCAD database.
Hardware (Hardver)
Physical computer components like processor, memory, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.
Hatch
Many drawing applications use the process called hatching to fill the space with some pattern. Pattern or color are used to differentiate project components or to show the material the object consists of. So, hatch is an object which fills interior of one or more selected objects.
Help menu
You can open help in BabaCAD by pressing F1, but you can also download it from the BabaCAD web site (www.babacad.com).
Combined object inserted in your project and showing data stored in the block definition. See also Block and Block definition.
Interface element
Interface element is an object in BabaCAD which can be customized, like toolbar, etc.
Intersection
Intersection point is a point of intersection of two lines: a line of an object and the line created by determining end point (with previously chosen point for polyline, etc.).
ISO
Abbreviation for International Standards Organization. The organization which established international standards in almost all fields of science. It's headquarters is in Geneve, Switzerland.
JPG, JPEG
File format for images with high precision and optimization. See also GIF, TIFF, Bitmap.
Layer
Logical grouping of data which can be shown / hidden, painted with same color or have same line width for all grouped objects in your project. Managing layers is done through Layer Manager.
Layer Manager
Window for managing layers in your project.
Layout
Environment where you create and design Paper space and viewports for plotting / printing. For now it is possible to have only one Layout per project.
Layout viewports (see Viewports)
Line
Line is defined with two points (start and end point) and additional properties like line type, line width, layer where the line resides, and line color. Point coordinates can be precisely manually entered or you can click with mouse on point positions relative to coordinate system.
Line type
The way how the line type is shown. For example „Continuous“ line has different line type from a discontiuous line.
Linear dimension
Linear dimension can be horizontal or vertical, representing horizontal or vertical distance between two points. See also Dimension and Aligned Dimension.
LISP programming language
BabaCAD LISP is mostly compatible with AutoCAD autolisp programming language. LISP is one of most frequently used modes for enlarging CAD software functionalities.
Model
BabaCAD model is so far 2D (two-dimensional) representation of one or more objects.
Model space
One of two primary spaces where objects are located. Geometric model is located in 2-D coordinate system called Model Space. Final look of specific views on this model is placed in the Paper Space. See also Paper space.
Modularity
Programming-wise modularity means that program parts are written as modules which can easily be combined in a whole full software. BabaCAD is a modular software.
Functions which moves selected object within the drawing.
Named object
Describes various types of nongraphical informations stored in a project, like styles and definitions. They include line types, layer, dimension styles, block definitions, layouts and viewports.
Nearest point
Points to nearest characteristic points in your position relative to the cursor position.
Object
Object in BabaCAD represents a graphical information (usually called Entity) or a nongraphical information (Named Object).
OFFSET
Creating a new object by distancing certain object for definied offset (distance).
Oracle Spatial is a licenced Oracle component, which allows keeping spatial data in an Oracle database in special customized structures, all supported by Oracle tools. Oracle Spatial is a standard. BabaCAD has support for work with Oracle Spatial data structures.
Orthogonal
Which has „perpendicular“ tangents in the intersection point.
If OSNAP button is enabled you will be able to draw every line by connecting it to a characteristic point near the place where cursor points. This work mode creates an invisible rectangle window, which offers nearest point for selection. If OSNAP button is disabled, characteristic points will not be shown.
If button OTRACK is enabled, smart memorizing of directions, which are generated from characteristic object points. OTRACK allows you to set desired point on some of directions characteristic for drawing objects, as:
- continuation of line or polyline segment (extension)
- vertical or parallel to specific lines
- orthogonal to direction determined by a segment of an object
- tangent on arc or part of polyline with arc segment (bulge)
Position the cursor near a specific point and keep the cursor for a half second in order to activate OTRACK directions for the point when you position the cursor near a direction. You can continue touching other points, whilst OTRACK remembers several previous points. If two directions are crossed, OTRACK will offer you „x“ snapped on the crossing of the directions. Directions can be made from the points from various objects (intersection of an arc tangent and a perpendicular of polyline or line). If some directions distract you, position cursor near the point of the directions for a half second and it will be automatically excluded from OTRACK.
Page setup (for plotting / printing)
Collection of devices for plotting / printing and other settings which influence the look and format of final output. These settings can be changed and applied on other Layouts.
PAN (moving within drawing)
If you call this function, you switch to moving in the drawing using the mouse. See also Zoom.
Paper Space
One of two basic spaces where objects are placed. Paper space is used for creating final look for plotting / printing, and not used for temporary sketching the output or designing. You design your objects in the Model space (tab). See also Model Space i Viewports.
Paste
After you call one of the functions Cut or Copy to place an object in clipboard, you have to call function Paste to insert the object from clipboard to a new location. See also functions Cut and Copy.
Pattern
Hatch is filled with a pattern. Pattern can be solid (fully colored hatch' interior) or it can be chosen from given pattern.
Perpendicular point
If the line created by start and end points cross other line under 90 degrees – then the point is perpendicular.
Pick button (Selection button)
Mouse button used to select objects or specifiy points on screen. By default, it is the left mouse button.
Plotting
Process of plotting your project (Layout) on a ploter. See also Plot style.
Plot style
Object's property which determine set of settings for color, „dithering“, gray scale, pen settings, „screening“, line type, line width, and end styles. These styles are applied at the plotting time.
Plot style table
Collection of plot styles. Plot styles are defined in „Plot Style“ tables and applied on objects only when this table is applied on Layout or Viewport. See also Plot Style.
Point
1. Location in 2-D space determined with values of X and Y coordinates
2. Object consisting of only one location defined by X,Y coordinates
Pointer (see Cursor)
Polyline
Object consisting of one or more connected line or arc segments, treated as one object. Sometimes called PLINE.
Prompt
Message on command line requesting information or demanding actions like determining a point.
Properties window
Window where properties of marked object(s) are shown. If more than one object is selected, this window will show general properties of selected objects.
Radius dimension
Measures the radius of a circle or an arc.
Raster Image
BabaCAD allows you to insert images from a file into your project along with vector graphics, and then view, design, and plot your project from Paper space the way you want. There are many reasons why combining images with a drawing like scanning documents, faxes, sattelite photographies, etc.
Raster graphics
Raster graphics or bitmap is collection of data representing a rectangle net of pixels or colored points on a graphic output device like monitor or on paper. Pixel is abbreviation for Picture Element, representing one point on graphics. Monitors show picture by dividing whole screen on thousands (or millions) of pixels organized in rows and columns. Since pixels are very small, they look connected. Number of bits used to represent one pixel determines how many colors can be shown. Each color of an individual pixel is particularly defined, so RGB (Red, Green, Blue) pictures contain three bytes per pixel, while each byte contains one particularly defined color. Quality of a raster image is determined by total number of pixels (resolution) and by the number of values for every single pixel (color depth). See also Bitmap.
A rectangle is drawn by determining location of one edge and opposite edge of the rectangle. Result is a polyline consisting the rectangle's points.
Redo
Redo function is used for repeating last command. See also Undo.
Command used to refresh picture of objects in current viewport without updating the drawing.
Coordinates determined relative to previous coordinates. See Absolute coordinates.
RGB
Red, green & blue (Crvena, zelena i plava). Sistem definisanja boja odredivanjem procenta crvene, zelene i plave.
Rotate
An user can rotate one or more objecty by selecting the object(s) and right click – option “Rotate” or click on the icon Rotate in the Modify toolbar.
Running object snap (see OSNAP)
Scale
User can Increase/Decrease one or more objects by selecting objects and right click – option “Scale” or click on the icon “Scale” in the Modify toolbar.
Selection set (set of selected objects)
One or more selected objects for whom an action can be done simultaneously.
Send To Back
Function that sets selected object behind other overlapping objects. See also Bring To Front.
Shortcut keys
Keys and combination of keys which start commands. For example, CTRL+S saves the file, function F1 opens Help.
Shortcut menu (pop-up menu)
The menu shown on location of your cursor when you click right mouse button. Shortcut menu and it's options depend on pointer location and other conditions, for example whether and object is selected, or whether a command execution started, etc.
Smart touch (Smart selection of objects)
Enables two type of selection with mouse: from-left-to-right (whole objects must be selected) and from-right-to-left (selects all objects overlapped by the selection rectangle).
Software
One or more program packages on computer. BabaCAD is a software for designing and drawing. Windows is operating system BabaCAD works on.
Software Development Kit (SDK)
SDK is typically a collection of tools for software development who allow creation of application for a specific software package, software environment, hardware platform, etc. BabaCAD SDK is already created so it is possible to create or customize your software for work with BabaCAD by using BabaCAD SDK. BabaCAD SDK has a simplified set of functions so it is useful for programmers of all skills levels. BabaCAD SDK is created for Windows platforms.
Status line
Status line is a line in the window color, stands in the lower part of BabaCAD window and shows data about currently chosen object, for example point coordinates. Also, there are three buttons in the status line (OSNAP, OTRACK, and MODEL/PAPER). See also OSNAP, OTRACK, Model Space, and Paper Space.
Sub-prompt (pod-prompt)
Command prompt asking user to complete the command or modify a command parameter.
TIFF
File format of images often used for georeferencing because of it's precision. See also JPG, GIF, and Bitmap.
Toolbar
Part of interface which contains icons who run commands. BabaCAD toolbars are Main, Pan/Zoom, and others.
Topographic map
Geographic map with a lot of information about local interesting items of shown area, which relate to places, streets, waters, vegetation, territorial boundaries, along with map descriptions. Topographic maps are maps where all topographic or general geographic objects (waters, vegetation, places, streets and areas) are shown with equal importance. Topographic maps are cartographic views made of precise and overall measuring topographic objects.
Trim
This function trims selected point from an existing object and removes object segments connected with this object's point.
Undo
Undo function is used for cancelling previous action. It is possible to make 100 undo operations. See also Redo
Vector
Mathematic object with precise direction and length, but without specific location.
Vector graphics
Vector graphics or geometric modeling is a way of showing an image by using geometric shapes like points, lines, curves and polygons, all based on mathematic equations. It is much easier to remember vector graphics than demanding raster (bitmap) pictures. Almost all nowadays computer graphic views convert vector image to raster format. Raster picture is kept in memory and contains data for each single pixel of a picture. Term vector graphics is used in context of two-dimensional computer graphics.
Vertex
Location (point) where object edges or polyline segments are connected.
Graphical representation of a model from specific location (viewport) in space.
Viewports
One or more views on objects created in Paper Space (Layout), framed area showing a part of objects from your Model space.
Window selection
Rectangle area chosed for drawing in space, which selects (marks) one or more objects at the same time.
Working environment
Collection of menus, toolbars, and „dockable“ window (like Properties window), organized in a way to let you focus on your drawing.
ZOOM
Action for increasing or decreasing current view at the drawing area.
ZOOM Extents
The most popular view which shows all objects in your project – Smallest rectangle which contain all drawing objects, positioned on screen to show the biggest possible view on all objects.
ZOOM Realtime
Function which allows zooming by moving mouse while the mouse pick button is pressed.
ZOOM Window
Use this function if you want to zoom view on only specific window (rectangle) you choose.