Evaluation of QCad program?
 

I am evaluating the QCad software program and was wondering if anyone knew if there was a way to create two objects in it, and shift those objects back and forth in front of each other?

Without the lines from the underlying object showing through the top one?

In OpenOffice.org's Draw I can easily shift objects back and forth like that but I can't seem to figure out how to do in QCad if such a thing is even possible.

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Carlos

Try using QCADs layer function. I wasn't able to make it mask the object "underneath" but, in time, something equivalent might be made to happen.

Thanks xode but after thinking about it some more I came to realize that QCad could not do what I needed in another area. Namely the ability to make an object transparent.

I don't know how CAD people do it but I need to be able to show the outside of a hot dog cart in such a way that it is somewhat transparent so people viewing the drawing can see the relative placement of the appliances inside the cart.

I think I will go back to OpenOffice.org's Draw.

I tried xfig too and while it, like QCad, is a great program it's key schema is so much like the non-GUI type Linux keystrokes that I decided against it. For example the menus don't stay open and one must hold down the mouse button while traversing them (ouch if anyone has the makings of cartulpandrel syndrome or strained muscles from clicking the mouse so much). And the edit boxes where one enters information are even worse with the Del and other keys not working like one is used to but more like being inside a Linux xterm window.

Thanks.

Carlos

I do CAD full time at work on Windoze machines, but this Qcad thing isn't the best product for CAD on linux. Use a program called "VariCAD" www.varicad.com. Don't be fooled by it's title. I know it says it's for mechanical design, well it is but you can obviously use it for anything....in the end, it's all just lines :-) I use VariCad for my side business at home. It's easy to use, and you can create 3d objects very easily. And the answer to your question, is pick the "lightest colour possible - a very light grey". I don't know if you are going to print these, but on the monitor, it will usually give the impression of being "Screened" back. Same as when you print, but it will be more obvious (if you print in grey scale).

If you need an example, let me know. I can send you a Varicad drawing that you can open in your trial version you downloaded.

Thanks Phorem but at $399.00 a pop varicad is out of the question for me.

The ability to do a shifting back and forth among objects is just not worth that price. I can certainly live with ooDraw if I have to.

Thanks again.

Carlos