The Drafting Palette is one of the most powerful features for advanced drafting and detailing in DoubleCAD™ XT Pro. It works with solid or surface models, turning 3D designs into associative 2D manufacturing or construction drawings, even when working on an Xref. This means your sectional views and elevations in layout (paper space) will update automatically as the model changes.

For mechanical design this means parts and assemblies can have all standard views, 2D or 3D sections, and detailed views chosen by selection; or created as a derivative of an existing view. Dimensions are associative too so they update automatically and scale correctly in paper space, and geometry is recognized so that individual parts may be separately hatched or include different line weights and color. The solid model engine works with SAT objects in AutoCAD® .DWG files, objects created with any 3D ACIS® Modeler, or saved in IGES or STEP format.

For architectural design, a 3D model from SketchUp™ (.SKP), Rhinoceros® (.3dm), AutoCAD Architecture (.DWG), or other application may be used to create elevations, floorplans, sections, even detailed views, all of which are associative to changes in the model. With every section, each element may be hatched, colored, or have its line weight and style adjusted as needed, with separate controls for visible and hidden line.

A significant productivity enhancement was made with version 2: Drafting Palette items may be locked, essentially caching them until unlocked. This allows modeling to continue at speed – particularly important with larger models that have numerous sections, elevations, and views. Each section may be regenerated individually or all simultaneously.

There are more than 15 file formats for 3D models supported by DoubleCAD XT Pro that may be opened directly, imported, or included via Xref, that the drafting palette will recognize. This makes DoubleCAD XT Pro a fabulous drafting and detailing companion to numerous 3D design applications.

	Explore the power of the DoubleCAD XT Pro drafting palette, used here on a mechanical design with a 3D solid model. Topics covered are: (a) creating sections; (b) display properties of the sections; (c) populating paper spaces with details; (d) adding smart dimensions; and (e) creating fragmental views. The video is in HD format (1280x720) and is 6 minutes long.
	This is part 1 of a Webcast also on the drafting palette (1) covering its basic features in use with a 3D solid model. It is in a smaller format, and is about 12 minutes long.
	This is part 2 of the above Webcast on the drafting palette (2). This second part demonstrates the feature when used with a surface model imported from SketchUp. It is an excellent continuation after the two above introductory video or Webcast. It is in a smaller format, and is about 5 minutes long.