Microvellum's library data contains two drawing token columns that serve a range of functions depending on the specific token used in that column. This article will provide an overview of the function of those two columns and the three accompanying parameter columns.

The general use case of those columns and the data therein is to display components that are part of the product, but which may be buyout items and not manufactured at your facility, or manufactured at your facility in a multi-step process as explained below. You may also use them to control the visibility of any specific part in the 3D or 2D elevation drawing in AutoCAD.

If the 3D Draw Token or 2D Elevation Token boxes are blank for a part, the program will not draw that part in the corresponding view.

The ability to control whether a part is drawn or not is useful in several situations. As an example, let's say you need to machine a part to one set of dimensions, but need to resize that part during the manufacturing process. You may decide to handle that in Microvellum by setting up the product to contain two identical parts. One is the machined part that is used in its original state for manufacturing, and the other is used for drawing purposes that represent the part after it has been modified in a secondary process when it is ready to be assembled to the product. The part used in the manufacturing process does not contain a drawing token and is not drawn, but contains a valid material and is therefore cut listed. The part used for drawing purposes representing the finished part ready for assembly contains a drawing token, but the material name begins with a minus sign. Therefore, the program draws the second part but does not include it in the cut list.

See the four examples below for a better idea of how we designed these columns to be used in the program. Before we get to that, notice the two AutoCAD drawings of the four products – Open Upper Corner, Angled Hood, 2 Door Base w Range Top, and Wall room component. A complete reference will be added to this article later.

Example 1 - "Open Upper Corner" with the Advanced Option "Crown Molding" selected.

Notice in the example the use of the token DRAWMOLDING is used for the Upper Crown part. The text "CROWN" follows the token name, assigning it a layer name.

• 3D Draw Token: DRAWMOLDING CROWN
  
• 2D Elv Token: (not used)
  
• Parameter 1: (molding name located in the \Graphics\Moldings folder):  CM-29_Molding
  
• Parameter 2: (vector list):  0;0|0;-15.125|8;-23.125|36;-23.125
  
• Parameter 3: (bulge list):  0;-0.4142;0;0
  

Example 2 - "Angled Hood"

Notice in the example the 3D token DRAW3DBOX is used for the FRONT TOP MOLDING part.  The text "CabinetInterior" follows the token name, assigning it a layer name. The 2D token DRAW2DFIXED is used, along with the layer name "Shelf."

• 3D Draw Token: DRAW3DBOX CabinetInterior
  
• 2D Elv Token: DRAW2DFIXED Shelf
  
• Parameter 1: (not used)
  
• Parameter 2: (not used)
  
• Parameter 3: (not used)
  

Example 3 - "2 Door Base w Range Top"

Notice in the example the 3D token DRAWBLOCK is used for the Rangetop part. Because there is no layer name following the token name, the program draws the component on the default layer for that product type.

• 3D Draw Token: DRAWBLOCK
  
• 2D Elv Token: (not used)
  
• Parameter 1: (the folder containing the block drawing file): \Drawing Blocks\Appliances\Range Tops
  
• Parameter 2: (block drawing file name):  VGRT362-4G-Griddleplate-6in Backguard.dwg
  
• Parameter 3: (not used)
  

Example 4 - "Wall" Room Component

Notice in this example the special draw token DRAWWALL. The text "Wall" follows the token name, assigning it a layer name.

• 3D Draw Token:  DRAWWALL
  
• Parameter 1 (bulge):  0.0 
  

See Figure 8 for a straight wall and Figure 9 for a radiused wall.

• Parameter 2: (not used)
  
• Parameter 3: (not used)