Catalog/Drawing Properties

In This Topic

The Catalog Properties are the highest level where the global defaults for cabinet construction etc. are set.

Each drawing/job will start off with its own set of properties called Drawing Properties, which are an exact copy of the default values set in the Catalog.

The Catalog Properties can be overridden by the Drawing Properties, which in turn can be overridden by the Cabinet Properties.

Watch the video which gives a general overview on how to setup default properties.

What is a Catalog?

The Catalog Properties are where the global defaults for cabinet construction etc. are set.

Starter catalogs are included in the installation (files with a .qim extension) and, with CabMasterPro and higher, you can customise this or create a new catalog with Library Catalog Manager [LCM].

A Catalog represents your unique setup and consists of...

a custom range of cabinets which are based on a library e.g. CM-Cabinets and are managed in the Library Catalog Manager
your chosen construction method of this range of cabinets
material and hardware components and settings
pricing

Catalog Property sheets are displayed with a pink background to distinguish it from Drawing Properties (displayed with a grey background), as the most default options are available from both.

The following image shows the Catalog for a custom range of cabinets that are based on the CM-Cabinets library and this is displayed in the dialog header.

Properties are divided into Categories (or groups) under which are related Pages. Therefore in this documentation, topics are organised in the same format i.e. My Setup > My Company page, where My Setup is the Category and My Company is the related page.

Catalog Properties : My Setup > My Company page

Library Catalog Manager [LCM], accessed from the CabMaster View ribbon command tab, is only available with CabMasterPro or higher software license.

However, all new users can and should set up company details and other setup defaults from the File menu i.e. Prepare > Catalog Properties.

You will get the following warning message that advises you that any changes made to the Catalog will only come into effect upon opening a new drawing.

What is the difference between a Catalog and a Library?

A starter catalog (.qim) and a Based on library (.qil) is provided to all users.

The Catalog allows you to save multiple versions of cabinets, each with different settings. Therefore, the catalog structure provides a helpful separation of the library design into two levels...

Base Library (.qil) - is supplied and supported by CabMaster Software with numerous construction methods to suit most businesses.
Catalog Level (.qim) - can be used by the end user to override the 'Based On' library (accessed via LCM) and have any number of variations of it.

This makes it possible to have one cabinet such as a 'Floor Drawer' and then create multiple variations of this, for example 'Floor 2 Drawer', Floor 4 Drawer' etc with different widths, depths and construction methods etc.

Another very useful feature of this separation is that it lets a library designer update the .qil file(s) and slipping in the new 'Based On' libraries, leaving the end user to update the catalog (.qim) files independently.

Provided the two are kept compatible and the administrative roles are kept separate, this provides a very reliable way of updating 'libraries' in the field, as new construction methods get supported and other features get added to a base library. Generally, the end user does not edit the base library (.qil) files at all, and the library designer does not edit or distribute the Catalog (.qim) files at all.

See topic Insert Unused Based Ons that allows you to add any missing cabinets/items to your catalog.

What is a Drawing Property?

When you start up your CabMaster software or create a new drawing, you typically start with a library loaded. This means that the new drawing will be based on a selected library for example CM-Cabinets.

Each drawing/job will start off with its own set of properties called Drawing Properties, which are an exact copy of the default values set in the Catalog. However, as each job involves different dimensions, the height and depth defaults you may want to override the Job Defaults under the Job Setup category.

Defaults can be modified in the Drawing Properties for each individual drawing/job without changing the Catalog defaults.

Drawing Property sheets are displayed with a light grey background to distinguish it from Catalog Properties, as shown.

Drawing Properties : Job Setup > Job Defaults page

When you save your Drawing/Job, thereby providing it with a name, this Drawing/Job name will be reflected in the Drawing Properties dialog header.

It is good idea to manually save your drawing/job early in your setup as CabMaster™ has an AutoSave feature which is initiated at specified time intervals but only if the drawing has been manually saved at least once.

File > Options [F10]

My Setup

My Company & Company Extras

Job Setup

Job Defaults