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Newsletter - 24 Aug 2006

Company News

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KNOWLEDGE BASE EXHIBITS AT THE CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CPUT)

Knowledge Base will be exhibiting at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology's Graduate Careers Exhibition which will be held on the 6th and 7th September at the Cape Town Campus. Students interested in pursuing a career in design can benefit from interactive demonstrations showcasing our AllyCAD and Civil Designer software.

Last year, as part of our ongoing social responsibility programme, Knowledge Base donated copies of the AllyCAD student version to the CPUT library allowing students without access to the internet to utilise the program for educational purposes. This year, students who have demonstrated competency in the design software will be eligible to apply for co-operative placements in the civil engineering field via our Bureau Centre.

AllyCAD FOR THE EASTERN CAPE DEPT OF EDUCATION

Knowledge Base has agreed to support the DoE by making their AllyCAD software available to schools and will train all educators at a preferred rate as part of our ongoing initiative to support Engineering practice in South Africa.

Product News & Information

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OUR VERSATILE AND EASY TO USE SNAP MODES

Snap modes allow you to complete your drawings with precision and fine detailed accuracy. The Snaps toolbar may be accessed using the Snap icons or by using any one of the accelerator keys. Once this has been accessed, you will be able to tell which mode you are in by the shape of your cursor.

In Snap Mode, the cursor moves exactly onto an existing part of the drawing and the point that is snapped to is accepted. This move and accept is performed each time you press ‘Enter’ or your left mouse button. A Snap Mode is therefore useful if you continuously snap onto the same type of point, for example if you are drawing lines between grid points and continually snap onto those grid points. The Snap Mode saves you having to jump to the point and then accepts it as two separate actions. The different snap modes include:

Grid
You may access the Grid Snap Mode by clicking on the Grid Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the Shift and G keys on your keyboard at the same time. The Grid Snap Mode will jump onto a grid point even if it is not displayed. If you however magnify into your drawing, the previously invisible grid points will appear.

Grab All
The Grab All Snap Mode may be accessed by clicking on the Graball Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the Shift and A keys on your keyboard at the same time.

JUMPS - GRAB ALL Click to enlarge

Point
To access the Point Snap Mode, click on the Point Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or press the Shift and J Keys at the same time.

Freehand
The Freehand Mode may be accessed by clicking on the Freehand Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the ‘Shift’ and F keys on your keyboard at the same time.

Geom Intersection
The Geom Intersection Mode may be accessed by clicking on the Geometry Intersection Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the Shift and I keys on your keyboard at the same time.

Circle Centre
The Circle Centre Snap mode may be accessed by clicking on the Circle Centre Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the Shift and E keys at the same time.

Perpendicular
You can access the Perpendicular Snap Mode by clicking on the Perpendicular Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the Shift and P keys on your keyboard at the same time.

Nearest Line / Arc
The Nearest Line / Arc Snap mode may be accessed by clicking on the Nearest Element Icon or by pressing the Shift and N keys on your keyboard at the same time.

Tangent
This mode may be accessed by clicking on the Tangent Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or by pressing the Ctrl and T keys on your keyboard at the same time.

Intersection
To access the Intersection Snap mode, click on the Intersection Snap Icon in the Snaps Toolbar or press the ‘Shift’ and Z keys on your keyboard at the same time.

Snap modes take all the hassle out of creating precise designs and is aimed at saving you both time and effort.

AllyCAD Support & Development

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ANNUAL UPGRADE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENTS

Support Contracts are charged at 13% of the product purchase price and guarantee cutting edge software functionality, the availability of our Support Centre and the provision of a free marketing and publicity service where your project success stories are showcased in top trade journals. Support agreements therefore give you more choice and best of all, you will have immediate access to our upcoming AllyCAD 3.5 version with the latest functionality.

LATEST UPDATES FROM THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Here are the latest downloads available on the updates page:

• AllyCAD V3.5 PRO & SME - LATEST BUILD
  Build 2 (14/08/2006)

• AllyCAD v3.4 PRO & SME
  Build 29 (11/07/2006)

• AllyCAD v3.4 Micro
  Build 29 (11/07/2006)

• AllyCAD v3.4 Freeware
  Build 29 (11/07/2006)

• AllyCAD v3.4 Help file Update
  (14/05/2004)

• AllyCAD v3.4 HASP Driver Update
  (18/08/2005)

TECH TIP TUTORIAL

Moving and Copying Techniques
 

Improved accuracy when moving or dragging and copying a single entity can be acheived using the following tips... View Tech Tip

Training & Visits

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Training is often regarded as the cornerstone to achieving optimal results and enhanced productivity. The value of good quality training cannot be emphasized enough.

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

If you are interested in training, please contact your regional office to make your booking as the courses are extremely popular.

 

CURRENT VISITS & TRAINING ACTIVITIES

Our Customer Consultants will be involved in the following visits and training activities over the next couple of weeks. Please feel free to give us a call on (021) 701-1850. We would be happy to meet up with you to discuss your training or product needs.

Customer Quote

VUMILE JACK Camdekon Consulting Engineers, East London

WATER SUPPLY PLAN FOR THE INSIKA YETHU MUNICIPAL AREA

"The production of water scheme and supply network drawings is completed with the use of AllyCAD. I find the program to be very easy to use and there are many shortcuts that allow one to complete projects quickly and effectively...” read more

Click here to view Detailed Customer Showcases from our clients.

Bureau Service

Bureau assists companies to complete specialised projects on time.

For more information contact Brett Pureveen on (021) 701 1850 or visit www.knowbase.co.za/bureau/.

Recruitment Service

RECRUITMENT

Knowledge Base Recruitment has gained the support of civil engineering firms nationwide through its efforts to address the massive skills shortages affecting the industry and as a result of its integrity-centered conduct.

UK INTERVIEWS On the 1st, 4th and 5th of September 2006 only, Knowledge Base Recruitment will be conducting interviews in London in order to fast track the entry of foreign professionals into South Africa.

We are currently looking to place a selection of highly competent civil engineers in a limited number of top contractual positions.

If you are interested in an exciting career move, then please e-mail yvonne@knowbase.co.za or call us on 021-701 1850 for further details.

This is a random selection of our candidates for permanent placement. Send an email to the above address quoting the relevant Candidate Number for further information:

Buy On-line

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ALLYCAD - WORKS LIKE YOU DO

Buy your Plotter from the People who know how to use & Install them

Visit www.knowbase.co.za to view detailed specifications. All prices  include VAT and may change without prior notice.

Knowledge Base Software
Developers of Professional Civil Engineering and CAD Design Solutions

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