It's a Setup


PowerCADD Preference Utility

 
PC
Preference
Utility

PowerCADD Preference Utility is an application that allows you to save and swap different sets of the preference files used by PowerCADD. It also allows you to manage these sets and it creates a single-click solution to your set-up needs.

It's a great little application if you use a laptop with different hardware at different locations or if you want to operate different setups for alternative drawing tasks. It is also a great way to backup your PowerCADD preferences. It even allows you to backup your saved sets.

The application was written by Derek Dubout who provides it free of charge (unless you happen to be in the same place as he is at the same time in which case you may like to buy him a beer!).

Requirements: OSX and PowerCADD 6.

Download it here: PCPrefUtil. v2.0.2 (2 MB )
 
PC
Preference
Utility

 

Version 2

Finally, a version to handle PowerCADD 7 and it still handles PowerCADD 6. Even swapping back and forward between them if you like.

What's New:

• PowerCADD 6 and 7 compatible.
• Version indication in the main window.
• Shows the dates when you saved or last updated your sets.
• Zap - the ability to delete PowerCADD's preferences so that
• new defaults are created when you next launch PowerCADD.

  

 

What it looks like

Here's a snapshot of the main window. From here you can save the current PowerCADD preferences, activate saved sets, launch PowerCADD, update a set to the current settings and more.

  

 

One-click solution

When you save a set, a file with the set name is created which is placed in a folder on your hard disk. These files can be opened with a double click which will activate the set and immediately launch PowerCADD. Even better, if you place one or more of these files in the Dock, you can activate and launch with one click. Activation of sets is disabled if PowerCADD is already running on your Mac.

  

 

Instructions

The application contains full instructions for its use. Just look in the Help menu.

  

 

More info

PowerCADD keeps all its preference settings in several files on your hard disk. Things that are kept in these files include:

• All the preferences you set from PowerCADD's Preferences dialog windows.

• Tool Palette visibility and their locations on your monitor(s).

• Loader settings

• All your command key assignments

• WildTools and PowerDWG preferences (if installed).

• and more.

The PowerCADD Preference Utility doesn't change any of these settings but what it does do is allow you to make a copy of the whole PowerCADD Preferences folder and to give a name to this copied 'Set'.

You can then create new Preference set-ups in PowerCADD and make copies of these giving each set a new name. The Preference Utility allows you to make as many sets of Preference set-ups as you like.

Once you have created more than one set, the Utility allows you to re-activate any set. This process replaces the PowerCADD Preference folder with the contents of the set you saved. You can then launch PowerCADD using the preferences of that set.

Notes:

  1. Unfortunately, PowerCADD stores preferences you make in the Drawing Setup windows in the drawing files. This means these settings are not managed by the Utility.
  2. PowerCADD Preference Utility is a stand alone application. It is not a PowerCADD External and, as such it does not interact directly with PowerCADD in any way.
 

 

A note from Derek

I hope you find this application useful. I'm happy to receive any comments or suggestions you have. You can post in the forum at DesignCommunity or use the E-mail address in the program's About box.

Happy CADDing.