1
82.0°
for Adobe
®
Illustrator
®
CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC
USER GUIDE
Precision drawing, labeling and
dimensioning for professional design
within Adobe® Illustrator®
CADtools
hot door
32
Table of contents
Table of Contents
This user guide is designed for use as a product tutorial or
reference guide, with topics organized to follow the process
of a typical project. When viewing on-screen, click on the
numbers below to jump to the page. For in-depth video
tutorials on each feature, visit hotdoor.com.
About CADtools 8 ............................................................5
Major features of CADtools 8 ........................................... 6
Using CADtools with Creative Cloud .................................7
Updating or installing ....................................................8
Personalizing .................................................................9
Registration & technical support ..................................... 9
Working with older versions of Illustrator ..................... 10
Overview of the interface ........................................ 11-12
CADtools preferences .................................................... 13
Setting up the document
CADscale and Scale calculator ........................... 14-17
CADguides panel ................................................... 18
CADunits ......................................................... 19-20
CADcontrol ............................................................21
2D CAD drawing tools .......................................22-27
CAD wall, door and window tools .............. 28-34
Dimensioning control
CADdimensions panel .............................. 35-39
CADshortcuts
Presets ....................................................40-41
Automatic dimensioning ...............................41
Dimensioning tools ................................................. 42-52
Labeling tools
CADlabels panel ............................................... 53-55
Label tools ....................................................... 56-62
Construction tools ................................................... 63-65
Precision control with CADtracker
Geometry ..................................................... 66
Transform .................................................... 67
Area Transform .............................................68
Move ............................................................ 69
Repeat.......................................................... 70
CAD editing tools ..................................................... 71-78
Axonometric drawing
CADaxonometric panel .....................................79-81
Axonometric drawing tools ............................... 82-85
Axonometric dimensioning tools ............................. 86-92
Quick reference ...................................................... 93-95
Advanced topics ..................................................... 96-97
Index .................................................................. 99-100
54
hot door
HOT DOOR LICENSE AGREEMENT
©2013 Hot Door, Inc. This manual, as well
as the software described in it, is provided
under license and may not be copied by
any means without written consent of
Hot Door except in accordance with the
terms of the license. The existing artwork
may be protected under copyright law and
unauthorized use of this artwork could
violate the rights of the original author.
Hot Door, the Hot Door logo, CADtools, and
the CADtools logo are trademarks of Hot
Door, Inc. Adobe and Adobe Illustrator are
registered trademarks of Adobe Systems,
Inc. Windows is a registered trademark
of Microsoft Corporation. Apple and Mac
OS X are registered trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
HOT DOOR DOES NOT AND CANNOT
WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE IS FREE
FROM ALL BUGS, ERRORS AND OMISSIONS.
HOT DOOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS
AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE
IS ASSUMED BY YOU. HOT DOOR OR ITS
SUPPLIERS WILL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE TO
YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT
DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS
OR LOST SAVINGS, ARISING OUT OF THE
USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE,
EVEN IF HOT DOOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR
FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY THIRD PARTY.
Because some jurisdictions do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of liability for
consequential or incidental damages, the
above limitations may not apply to you.
http://www.hotdoor.com/
phone: 949-464-0300
fax: 949-464-0301
email: knock@hotdoor.com
© 2013 Hot Door, Inc.
PO Box 5220
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
About CADtools 8
Welcome to Hot Door CADtools, a full-featured CAD plug-in
for Adobe Illustrator CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC. CADtools
offers an easy and elegant solution for designers who need the
precision of CAD within the flexible, creative environment
of Adobe Illustrator. CADtools 8 does not require a subscription.
Major improvements in CADtools 8
• CS6/CC compatibility and interface integration -
Only version 8 of CADtools will work with Illustrator CS6 and CC
• Hot Door CORE
TM
- New COde REsource architecture increases
plug-in performance and facilitates rapid development of
CADtools upgrades and future productivity plug-ins
• CADcontrol bar - Quick access to popular CADtools settings
• Attached dimensions/labels - This CADtools Preference
instantly updates dimensions when editing their linked objects
• Corner Profile tool - Finish corners with decorative shapes
with this tool in the CADediting tool group
• Rounded Rectangle tools - Create rectangles with
rounded corners
• Chain Datum Dimension and Axonometric Chain
Dimension tools - These tools replace the settings to make
datum dimensioning easier
• Improved Trim and Extend tools - These editing tools are
improved with smoother, more predictable results
• Additional label tool and options - A multiple leader label
and expanded CADlabels panel provide greater control and style
of CADlabels
• CADunits panel - All units for dimensions and CADtools
interface are now controlled from one panel
• CADdimensions panel combines the former CADtext and
CADstyle panels
• CADaxonometric panel replaces the former CADisometric
panel with unlimited custom axonometric views
• CADscale panel replaces the former CADdocument panel and
features an unlimited number of custom scales
• CADlabels panel defines label terminators and text separate
from dimensions
• CADtools Preferences under the Window > CADtools menu
replaces settings in the former CADdocument panel
• Show/Hide All CADtools panels under the Window >
CADtools menu
• Improved speed and acccuracy of CADtools fillet tool with
fillets as small as 2 px radius
• Integrated scaled CADrulers and CADgrids replace the
former CADrulers layer and CADgrids layer
76
Major features of CADtools 8
CADtools includes 76 drawing, dimensioning, labeling and
editing tools organized in eight groups under the Illustrator
tools. Ten panels (formerly called 'palettes') are available from the
Window > CADtools menu. CADtools panels edit document scale,
objects, dimension and label styles, and provide shortcuts.
Drawing
• Precision drawing tools for 2D and axonometric/isometric
objects
• Standard or custom scale defined per document or
per Illustrator layer, including a scale calculator
• Integration of scaled Illustrator grids and rulers
• On-screen info while dragging objects in scale with
optional full-screen cursors
• Compatible with Illustrator Smart Guides
• Wall tools with sliding editability and door/window insertion
• Customizable title blocks and tables
Dimensioning
• Complete linear, curvilinear, angular and radial dimension tools
to measure points, lines, or datums
• Live dimensions and labels link to objects and respond
to artwork changes
• Dimensions show measurement or custom text
• Automatic dimensioning of document or objects
• International number format support
• Dual dimensioning and tolerancing
• Chain and datum dimension tools
Labeling
• Auto-labeling with text, numbers, alphabet or object geometry
• Custom dimension and label styles
Editing and measurement
• Scaled move, transform and repeat
• Instant calculation of area, perimeter, length of path(s)
• Area transform
• Corner Profile tool
• Path division for cutting or marking any path
• Measure Scale tool - similar to a map's scale
• Measure Distance tool
• Proportion tool - resize an object to another's dimensions
• Smart Trim and Extend tools
Shortcuts and presets
• Optional shortcuts to globally control all CADtools units
• Globally save and load CADtools panel settings as presets
Using CADtools with Adobe CC memberships
Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) is time-based, membership access to
the latest versions of Adobe Illustrator and other Adobe programs.
While Hot Door does not offer subscriptions for use of CADtools,
the plug-in remains compatible with both traditional and
subscription-based versions of Adobe Illustrator. When using
Adobe Illustrator CC, the Adobe software is installed directly on
the computer as before but requires online access every 30 days
to update membership and obtain minor software updates.
CADtools 8 follows the traditional model, running directly
on the computer hard drive. On launch, CADtools 8 uses the
Internet to check for compatibility with Illustrator and allows
for automatic updates to ensure seamless workflow.
Free updates for CADtools 8
Software updates feature minor bug fixes and enhancements
between major upgrades of the software. Major upgrades are
numbered releases such as 7, 8 or 9. Updates are dot releases
such as 8.1, 8.2 or 8.3. CADtools 8.x updates will be available
for free at www.hotdoor.com, while upgrades such as version 9
will require purchase. This policy is adopted by most software
companies including Adobe.
CORE technology in CADtools 8
The new Hot Door CORE
TM
(COde REsource) architecture
dramatically increases performance and allows for rapid
integration of new features and enhancements. CORE
TM
ensures
that new, compatible versions of CADtools will be accessible to
Creative Cloud users who require prompt upgrades to the next
version of Adobe Illustrator. CORE
TM
also promises a reliable
technology for new productivity tools for design professionals.
98
Updating or installing CADtools
On Mac OS X
1. If Adobe Illustrator is currently running, quit the application.
2. If CADtools has been downloaded, the file will be zipped.
Double-click CADtools8.dmg.zip to unzip it.
3. Double-click CADtools8.dmg. Follow the on-screen instructions
to install the file for your version of Adobe Illustrator. Drag the
icon named CADtools.aip into the Adobe Illustrator > Plug-ins >
Tools folder. This will replace any older files with the same name.
Then proceed to step 4 below.
On Windows
CADtools 8 installs differently on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows
machines. If the C drive has two folders called Program Files
and Program Files x86, then the system is 64-bit. The 64-bit
version of Adobe Illustrator will be installed in Program Files,
and the 32-bit version will be installed in Program Files x86.
If there is only a Program Files folder, then the system is 32-
bit. Follow instructions below to complete installation.
1. If Adobe Illustrator is currently running, quit the application.
2. If CADtools was downloaded online, the file will be zipped.
Double-click CADtools8.zip to unzip it.
3. Double-click Install Hot Door CADtools.exe. Follow the
on-screen instructions to install the file named CADtools into
the Adobe Illustrator > Plug-ins > Tools folder.
4. When launching the Adobe Illustrator application again,
a CADtools Personalization dialog will appear. For purchased
upgrades, enter the new CADtools 8 upgrade serial number,
and then enter the CADtools 5, 6 or 7 serial number when
prompted. For full versions, enter the new CADtools 8 full
version serial number.
5. If there is a need to open older CADtools files created with
Adobe Illustrator CS2 or previous versions, please follow
instructions on page 10, "Converting CADtools files with
Legacy Text."
After installing CADtools, regularly check for the latest
update by selecting Window > CADtools > Check for
Updates.
Personalizing, registration and support
Personalization:
For the full version of CADtools 8, enter the CADtools serial
number (with a format XXX-X-X-#-XXXXXXXXXXX) and click OK.
If multiple licenses have been purchased, enter a multi-license
serial number. Illustrator will open and CADtools icons will
appear at the bottom of the Illustrator tool panel. The CADtools
icons have red point markings.
To use the demo version of CADtools, click the Demo button.
CADtools will function for an unlimited time period but limits
drawing and dimensioning to 1:3 scale with access to only the
top tool in six of the eight tool groups. The labels are limited
to a curved leader and a circular border, and all label values will
read "Demo."
To purchase the full version of CADtools, click the Purchase but-
ton to launch the Hot Door website and store.
Registration:
To be eligible for free technical support, information on
upgrades, and other special offers, please register CADtools
online at www.hotdoor.com If CADtools was purchased directly
from Hot Door, registration is not necessary.
Technical support online:
Registered users are entitled to free email or phone technical
support. Get fast, friendly help from people in California by call-
ing toll-free at 1-888-236-9540. Choose Window > CADtools >
Technical Support to link directly to the tech support web page.
Online tutorials:
Choose Window > CADtools > Online tutorials... to view video
demonstrations and tool animations.
To reinstall CADtools, download the demo version from
the CADtools > Free Demos section at www.hotdoor.com.
Serial numbers can be retrieved from the website using the
email address from the original order.
