Draft IT - Frequently Asked Questions
Draft IT is a powerful and easy-to-use
2D CAD software for suitable for all users, in the office or at home. You can
create, print and save your own drawings and designs.
The following is a list of frequently asked questions about Draft IT.
At the end of each question the applicable versions are displayed in brackets.
(Click on a question to jump to the answer.)
I haven’t received my unlock code for the FREE version of Draft IT. (Versions: - FREE)
I have purchased a version of Draft IT and haven’t received my unlock code yet. (Versions: - PLUS, PRO, Architectural)
Every time I run Draft IT the request code changes. (Versions: - ALL)
I have loaded Draft IT Architectural but haven’t got access to the Architectural features. (Versions: - Architectural)
How do I add Hatching or an Area Fill to an area? (Versions: - ALL)
How do I add Hatching or an Area Fill to a Circle? (Versions: - ALL)
Can I change the unit settings? (Versions: - ALL)
Can I change the increment on the dynamic dimensions? (Versions: - ALL)
Can I Export an image (bitmap) of a drawing? (Versions: - PLUS, PRO, Architectural)
I can’t find the XY and Snap buttons. (Versions: - ALL)
How do I retrieve and Autosaved drawing? (Versions: - ALL)
What is the easiest way to draw orthogonal walls? (Versions: - Architectural)
How can I position internal wall ends accurately? (Versions: - Architectural)
How can I create multi-storey elevations? (Versions: - Architectural)
Can I display lines (entities) with a thickness? (Versions: - PLUS, PRO, Architectural)
Why are the dimension text and arrow heads so small? (Versions: - ALL)
I haven’t received my unlock code for the FREE version of Draft IT. (Versions: - FREE)
The unlock code for the FREE version of Draft IT is sent automatically by return email (to the email address entered on the form displayed when the program starts) as soon as you apply for it.
If you have applied and not received the unlock code yet, it may have been blocked by your spam filter, check your junk mail folder. Back to FAQ list
I have purchased a version of Draft IT and haven’t received my unlock code yet. (Versions: - PLUS, PRO, Architectural)
The version of Draft IT you purchased will work WITHOUT the unlock code for a period of 15 days after installation. To receive your unlock code you must enter your details into the form that appears when the program starts then click on the ‘Apply’ button. This sends your details (including your order reference number) and a unique request code to us. Do this only once, multiple applications only slow down the system.
Your unlock code will be forwarded to you within a few days. THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC PROCESS. All unlock codes are generated manually, the details you supply in your email are checked to match your order and the unlock code is sent by return email.
If you have been through this process and not received the unlock code yet, it may have been blocked by your spam filter, check your junk mail folder. Back to FAQ list
Every time I run Draft IT the request code changes. (Versions: - ALL)
If the request code changes each time you start Draft IT, then you did not have a sufficient level of access rights in your windows settings when the program was installed. Remove Draft IT, increase the level of access rights and then re-install. Back to FAQ list
I have loaded Draft IT Architectural but haven’t got access to the Architectural features. (Versions: - Architectural)
Draft IT Architectural will not function properly if any other version of Draft IT is already installed. Remove any Draft IT installation (including the Architectural). Ensure there are no Draft IT folders in beneath the Program Files folder, and re-install Draft IT Architectural. Back to FAQ list
How do I add Hatching or an Area Fill to an area? (Versions: - ALL)
To use ‘Area Fill’ or ‘Hatching’ you must draw a closed ‘Polyline’ around the shape to be filled or hatched. Once drawn, select the polyline and the ‘Area Fill’ and ‘Hatch’ buttons will become active. Back to FAQ list
How do I add Hatching or an Area Fill to a Circle? (Versions: - ALL)
Hatching circles in versions up to 2.1.2 requires the circle to be broken into two arcs. Use the ‘Break’ command to split the circle at any point on the circumference (not the start/end point). Use the ‘build Polyline command to make a new polyline from the two resulting arcs. Select this new polyline and the ‘Area Fill’ and ‘Hatch’ buttons will become active. Back to FAQ list
Can I change the unit settings? (Versions: - ALL)
Yes, the units can be set as either: - Metric (MM, CM or M) or imperial (Decimal inches, Fractional inches, Decimal Feet/inches, Fractional Feet/inches). Go to the ‘Settings’ pull-down menu and select ‘Units’. The top field in the dialog box contains all of the above options. Back to FAQ list
Can I change the increment on the dynamic dimensions? (Versions: - ALL)
Yes, the increment of the dynamic placement dimensions can be modified as required. Select ‘Units’ from the ‘Settings’ pull down menu. The second field in the top section of the dialog allows the increment of linear dimensions to be specified. The second field in the bottom section of the dialog allows the increment of angular dimensions to be specified. Back to FAQ list
Can I Export an image (bitmap) of a drawing? (Versions: - PLUS, PRO, Architectural)
Yes, zoom to the view of the drawing required and select ‘Export’ from the ‘File’ pull-down menu. Enter the filename for your image and set the file type for the image from BMP, JPG, GIF or WMF. Back to FAQ list
I can’t find the XY and Snap buttons. (Versions: - ALL)
These buttons only appear when the command selected requires two or more points to be defined. I.e. Line, Circle, Polyline, Move. Snaps are automatically available for selection of the first point, once you have selected this point the XY and Snap buttons appear on the system toolbar. Back to FAQ list
How do I retrieve and Autosaved drawing? (Versions: - ALL)
Draft IT automatically saves a backup of your drawings every 15minutes. These backup drawings are placed in the ‘C:\Program Files\Draft IT\Temporary Files’ folder. They are assigned a temporary name, for example ‘DFT8DBD44AC (example).tmp. The original drawing name is shown in the brackets. The text before the brackets is a random string assigned by Draft IT to ensure that existing files cannot be overwritten. The extension ‘tmp’ identifies the file as a temporary backup. To open the file it must be renamed and the extension restored to ‘dft’. Make sure once you have edited this drawing it is saved with a sensible name and in your drawing folder and not in the temporary folder. Back to FAQ list
What is the easiest way to draw orthogonal walls? (Versions: - Architectural)
The quickest and easiest way to draw walls orthogonally is to use the keyboard arrow keys. Simply place the first wall point and then hit the arrow key corresponding to the direction you wish the wall to be drawn .e.g. ‘right’. Then type the length of the wall into the distance box that appears and press ‘enter’. Back to FAQ list
How can I position internal wall ends accurately? (Versions: - Architectural)
You can easily position the ends of internal walls relative to the end points of other walls. When prompted for a new wall point, move the cursor over an existing wall point to measure from. When the snap symbol is displayed (e.g. END) hit the ‘R’ key. You will see that XY input is invoked from this point, now hit one of arrow keys e.g. ‘right’ to specify the direction of the new wall point . Then type the length of the wall into the distance box that appears and press ‘enter’. Back to FAQ list
How can I create multi-storey elevations? (Versions: - Architectural)
It is possible to produce multi-storey elevations simply by creating an elevation of each floor plan and stacking the individual elevations. You may wish to specify the same reference point on each plan allowing the elevations to be stacked as they are generated. Alternatively they can be created and ‘assembled’ using the ‘Move’ function. Back to FAQ list
Can I display lines (entities) with a thickness? (Versions: - PLUS, PRO, Architectural)
The ‘Pens’ feature on the ‘Settings’ pull-down menu allows a thickness to be specified for each pen. Set the thickness required for each pen/colour and make sure the ‘show line thickness’ at the top of the dialog box is ‘ticked’. Back to FAQ list
Why are the dimension text and arrow heads so small? (Versions: - ALL)
The parameters which control the sizes of text and dimensions in Draft IT are ‘real’ 1:1 sizes, so if the drawing scale is changed to 1:50 and then text height needs to be updated accordingly. i.e. if you want the text to be 3mm high when the drawing is printed to scale then text should be placed on the drawing with a height of 150mm. A similar factor should be applied to all of the controlling text/dimension parameters. i.e. if the dimension line gap needs to be 2mm it should be set as 100mm. Back to FAQ list