Using Tables

When TPC generates a line label (bearing and distance), it checks to see if the label fits on the line. If the label fits, TPC draws it parallel to the line and centered above or below it. If the label is longer than the line, TPC draws the label horizontally off to the side and can include a leader from the line label to the center of the line. In either case, you can move the line label, placing it where it looks the best.

For many of the drawings you will do with TPC, this simple process is adequate and very easy to use. Sometimes, however, the line labels can become crowded. When this happens, TPC provides line and curve tables.

When you place a line or curve label in a table, TPC references the label on the drawing with a number like L1, L2, L3, etc for lines and C1, C2, C3 for curves. The reference label is drawn next to the line just like the line label would be if it wasn't in the table, and the reference label is included in the first column in the table.

Each line in the table references a line or curve in the drawing and is called a Table Item. Is you move the cursor over a table item the status bar will display Table Item followed by the reference label to indicate which table item the cursor is over.

One of the benefits of using TPC for your drawings is that TPC keeps track of all line and curve references for you - automatically. As you add or remove lines or curves from their tables. TPC checks all referenced lines and curves and renumbers the references as needed to insure that they are sequential.

Inserting a Line, Curve or Point Table

To insert a line table, choose Insert | Line Table.
To insert a curve table, choose Insert | Curve Table.
To insert a point table, choose Insert | Point Table.
Choose the options you want from the table dialog then choose OK. Use the format letters to include just the information you want in the table. For detailed information on the options in the table dialog, open the dialog and press F1 for help.

TPC inserts the table on the right side of the drawing. You can now move the table anywhere on the drawing you want.

To move the table, just move the cursor over any part of the table and drag the table to the new location, then release the left mouse button.

The format of the table is independent of the Control and Side Shot settings that determine how the line is labeled when not included in a table.

Holding a Corner

As you add items to a table, it grows away from the corner that is being held. If you are holding one of the bottom corners of the table, it will grow up - past the top. If you are holding one of the top corners, it will grow down - past the bottom.

The hold corner is most important as you are adding items to the table since it will keep the table from growing over the top of other objects in the drawing. Regardless of which corner you have held, you can always reposition the table once you have added all the items to it.

Auto Style

The line table includes a Style option called Auto, which is not available for curve tables. The Auto style automatically places a line label in the line table if it doesn't fit on its line. As you re-scale the drawing, TPC re-checks the line labels and rebuilds the line table to include those labels that don't fit on their line. If the new scale allows a line label to fit on its line, TPC removes it from the table and places it back on the line.

The table is rebuilt each time the drawing is regenerated. As a result, you will see the reference labels (L1, L2, etc) change to reflect the status of the table.

Manual Style

For more control over the line and curve table items, choose the Manual Style. When a table style is set to Manual, you can append point, line and curve labels to their respective tables in the order you want them. Unlike the Auto Style available for line tables, the Manual style does to select which line or curve labels go in the table each time the drawing is regenerated.

To add a point, line or curve label to its table, right click the label and choose Append to Table. TPC will compute the next table reference, replace the line label with the computed reference and append a new table item to the appropriate table. If you choose to append a label and the appropriate table doesn't exist, TPC will prompt you to create it and set its style to Manual.
To remove a table item, right click the table item and choose Remove From Table. TPC will remove the table item, renumber the reference labels as needed to insure that all label references are sequential and replace the reference label on the drawing with the original line label.

Including all Lines/Curves/Points

If you want to include all line labels or all curve tables in a table, set the table Style to All. The next time the drawing is regenerated, the table will include all the line or curve labels.

Adding Record Data to a Line/Curve Table

TPC lets you add your own information to a table. This feature is indispensable when you need to include record data in the table.

To add data to a table item, right click the table item and choose Properties. You will see the table item text included in the edit field of the dialog. The data for the item is separated with commas (i.e. L1,N45°30'14"W,145.12).
Add whatever data you want to this, starting with any of the following delimiting characters (:;-\/). The text might look something like this L1,N45°30'14"W,145.12;[145.00].
Choose OK to accept the changes.

When TPC sees one of these delimiting characters in the table item, it creates another column and places the text in it. You can edit the table heading and include a column heading like "Record Data" for a more complete-looking table.

Example Line Table:

Line	Distance	Bearing	Record Data Per CSF14356
L1	14.56	N45°30'15"E	[14.00/ N45°00'00"E]

Columns

Use the Columns feature to split long tables into multiple, equal length sections. If a line table has three columns (Label, Bearing, Distance) and you specify 2 columns, you will get a second set of these same three columns to the right of the original three and all columns will half as many rows.

Decimal Places

The decimal places used for bearings/azimuths and distances in the table are determined by the current values in Tools, Program Settings, Decimals. After you change these decimal settings, you will need to regenerate the drawing to update the table.

TPC also uses these settings when you create a new table or open a drawing with a table in it.

Editions

Premium, Professional