We aim to make the gCADPlus interface clean and straightforward. All the tools necessary to create landscape drawings are easily reachable via drop-down menus, toolbar icons, or keyboard shortcuts. Many tools are available on right-click pop-up menus for ease and speed of drafting.
The figure below labels key areas in the drawing environment. The black area is termed the drawing editor (aka model space), and designs are created here using various tools selected from toolbars, menus, or typed in the command area.
Tip: The location of menu items or screen layout does not change when new versions of gCADPlus are released. We think it is crucial to maintain consistency in the interface and not change the location of menu items or screen layout when new versions of gCADPlus are released.
Help for beginners
Landscape designers can quickly move from hand drafting to CAD using built-in templates. The figure below shows a template in action. A new design is created by dragging elements from the symbols on the right to the left of the page.
Learn about the CAD drafting interface here.
Learn about the components of the gCADPlus drawing environment. We will show how to use drop-down menus and various commands to draw lines, circles, etc. We will add accurate dimensions to plans and check out speed landscape drafting techniques using options on the special gCADPlus menu. We will demonstrate editing entities using the properties box and show how to supercharge drafting using the right-click mouse button.
You can show and hide the command, status line, and mini layer tool. You can also get online help, learn to work with multiple drawings, and use workspaces to adapt the interface to your preference.
View a simple landscape drawing.
Start gCADPlus by clicking the shortcut on the desktop.
Select File>New and choose the template called FrontGarden.
Once that’s done, gCADPlus loads a design. The figure below shows the view you should see. It is a design for a house’s front entrance.
You are already familiar with the methods of moving around in the design from the previous movie, but it is worth practicing again, as shown in the movie.
Tip: The drawing editor background is black, but can be set to white if desired.