Creating a Cube

You are going to record a macro that will create a cube when it is played. The recording of this macro is designed to take place on first starting Vulcan, that is you haven't selected a layer in which to create design data.

From this example you will learn about the Mismatch Macro, Panel Inputs and Get Point variations of the Macro Control toolbar.

For ease of creating the cube, have a grid displayed on the screen.

1. Select the Macro Create option.
2. Give your macro a name, that is cube. Remember it is not necessary to add the lava extension.
3. From the Macro Control toolbar, select the Abort on macro mismatch option.
4. Select the Create Line button from the Design toolbar. Alternatively, you can also select the Line option from the Design > Create submenu.
5. The Panel inputs version of the Macro Control toolbar will then be displayed.

   From this panel, check the Optional panel check box. This selection will mean that a mismatch will not occur, as this panel will only be replayed if the system requires it. You must also choose either the Interactive or Use these values option. If the panel is required and you have selected Interactive, then you will be prompted to complete the panel when replaying the macro, otherwise the values you entered when recording the macro will be used and the panel will not be displayed.

6. Enter the layer name Cube and the description CubeExample:
7. The Get Point version of the Macro Control panel will then be displayed.

   From this panel, select the Interactive - single point option. This will mean that when the macro is being replayed you will be prompted to indicate a point.

8. Use the Snap to grids mode to digitise the point.
   
   A grid must be displayed on the screen to use this mode. Click on the Grid Properties button (on the Graphics toolbar ) to display a grid. If you want to alter the grid properties, that is the colour or the distance between grid lines, then right-click on the button.
9. The Relative option on the Macro Control toolbar will then be enabled (no longer be shadowed). Select the Relative option. This will mean that all the points created will be relative to the previously created point.
10. Use the Snap to Grids mode to digitise a square. You will need to redigitise the first point to close the square.
11. Change the z default value by the side length of the square, that is, if your square has a side length of 100, then increase the default Z value by 100.
12. Digitise a square exactly on top of the existing square. Start from the same vertex as you did when you created the original square.
13. Right-click once to cancel creating the line.
14. Digitise another vertex of the square, that is, not the vertex with which you completed the square.
15. Change the default Z value back to its original value.
16. Redigitise the vertex. This will create a line between corresponding vertices on the two squares.
17. Right-click to cancel creating the line.
18. Digitise another vertex.
19. Change the default Z value by the side length of the square, that is if your square has a side length of 100, then increase the default Z value by 100.
20. Redigitise the vertex.
21. Right-click to cancel creating the line.
22. Digitise the remaining vertex.
23. Change the default Z value back to its original value.
24. Redigitise the vertex.
25. Right-click twice to cancel creating the line and then to exit the create line option.
    
    Use the rotate icons to view your cube. Remember changes of view are not included in the macro.
26. Select the Stop button to stop recording the macro.
27. Right-click to exit the Macro Create option.

To replay your macro:

1. Select the Lava option (under the File menu).
2. Enter, or select from the drop-down list, your macro name.
3. The macro will be played. Any prompts will appear in the Status Bar (as they do for normal Vulcan operations).

While your macro is running you can use the Stop button on the Macro Control toolbar to stop it replaying.