Activating a Licence

Releasing a licence (manually) - Use this to manually release a licence so it can be used on another computer.

Releasing a licence (automatically) - Use this if you are moving between computers regularly.

Licencing Error Messages

Familiarise yourself with the screen and menus

Selecting Entities and using Nodes

Drawing Organisation:

Organising your Drawings - Where to store them etc.

Drawing Versioning - Managing drawing versions

Creating Drawings

• • Create a brand new drawing from a template - Includes how to download templates

  • Create a brand new drawing using a venue supplied DWG/DXF file

  • Create an offline copy of your floorplan so you can work on it separately to the Master Plan - You can use this method to copy the current drawing and use it for next years show.

Saving Drawings

• • Save a drawing (quick Save)

  • Close and Save a drawing

Opening Drawings

• • Open a drawing

  • Open a drawing that is linked to Floorplan Live

  • Open a previous version of a Drawing

Sharing Drawings

• • Share a copy of your drawing with a contractor or other EFD users - Use this to share your master .EFD file with a contractor or other EFD users.

What is Floorplan Live?

Linking your plan to Floorplan Live - Please contact us to link your plan to Floorplan Live.

Once your plan is connected to Floorplan Live, you may want to:

• Enable a View to be uploaded to Floorplan Live

• Share a live PDF link with clients

• Share multiple live PDF links with clients by embedding them into a HTML page

• Create an offline copy of your floorplan so you can work on it separately to the Master Plan

• Re-link an offline plan back to Floorplan Live and overwrite the existing Master Plan

Trouble Shooting

I cannot upload because I am not using the Master Plan.

I cannot upload because the Show Name or Dates have changed.

I cannot upload because some stands are not within a Gross Area - How to edit a Gross Area/Hall Boundary.

I cannot upload because my drawing needs to be repositioned - How to reposition your drawing.

Some parts of my floorplan are missing on Floorplan Live after uploading - Check the connection to Floorplan Live

I am getting an internet connection error while trying to upload/download - Check the connection to Floorplan Live

Importing

Import DWG Files:

• Importing a venue layout supplied in DWG or DXF format

• Import technical stand/feature/other drawings that have been supplied in DWG or DXF format

Import stand data such as Company names and stand colours:

• Importing an exhibitor list that is in spreadsheet format

Exporting:

• Export your floorplan to PDF, DWG/DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP or GIF

• Automatically Export your floorplan to PDF, DWG/DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP or GIF

• Adding / Removing PDF Security before Exporting

• Export individual stand layouts to PDF

• Export and upload your floorplan to your website using FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

• Export to Élan - An Event Management Tool created by Media Services Group

Printing:

• Printing

What are Layers?

Layer Manager Overview

Creating Layers:

• Create a New Layer

• Copy a Layer

Layer Groups: (Using Groups helps keep your Layers organised)

• Turn On and use Layer Groups

• Add / Move Layers to a Group

Hiding Layers:

• Hide Selected Layers - For hiding entities on certain layers very quickly. This can also be used to hide layers in Views.

• Hide Layers using the Layer Manager

• Hide Layers only when Exported to a file. - This keeps the Layer visible on-screen, but hidden when exported to a PDF, Image or DWG.

Making Layers Visible:

Make Layers visible using the Layer manager

Make Layers visible in certain Views

Deleting Layers:

• Delete Layers

• Purge Layers - Deletes all Layers that are not in use and contain no entities.

Locking & Unlocking Layers:

Locking

• Quickly Lock Layers - Lock layers using a keyboard shortcut.

• Lock Layers using the Layer Manager - Lock single or multiple layers.

• Lock layers in Views - Views have their own layer configurations, use this to edit those layers.

• Lock Selected Layers - For locking single or multiple layers based on the entity selected. This can also be used to lock layers in Views.

• Keep Layers Locked - A safety function to stop you accidentally unlocking layers.

Unlocking

• Quickly Unlock Layers - Unlock layers using a keyboard shortcut.

• Unlock Layers using the Layer Manager - Unlock single or multiple layers.

• Unlock layers in Views - Views have their own layer configurations, use this to edit those layers.

Other Layer Options:

• Moving entities onto other Layers

• Change the current layer to that of a selected entity.

• Change Layer Colours - Change the Colour of Entities on a particular Layer.

• Change Layer Line Styles - Change the Line Style (solid, Dotted or Dashed) of the entities on a particular Layer.

• Select all entities on a layer(s) - Use this to select all of the entities on a particular layer(s) by selecting just one entity.

• Isolate Selected Layers - Use this to show only entities for certain layers, hide all other layers.

• Find Entities on Layers - Use this if you are having trouble finding entities on a Layer

• Using Layer Aliases - Use this to add a friendly name to a Layer without editing the Layer name itself

What are Views?

Creating Views:

• Create a View from scratch

• Create(copy) a View based on another View - Use this to create a new View based on another View but with some differences.

Editing Views:

• View Name - Edit the name of you View.

• View Borders - Select a border to Link to your View.

OPTIONS:

• • Show / Hide Stand Open Sides

  • Show / Hide Stand Line Visibility

  • Show / Hide Stand Line Colours

  • Show / Hide Lines & Arrows on Gangway Dimensions

  • Add View to Block Plan PDF

  • Select Plan Type

  • Configure Stand Types - Show / Hide individual Stand Colours.

  • Show / Hide Stands for Halls

PDF Options:

• • Page Options - Set your PDF page size including setting the scale, e.g. 1:200.

  • Line Thickness - For advanced users.

  • Include Layers - Specify whether layers are shown on your exported PDF.

  • Disable Hyperlinks - Specify whether hyperlinks are clickable in your exported PDF.

  • Embedded Image Quality - Reduce embedded images quality to reduce the PDF file size.

DWG Options:

• • File Types - Select whether your View is exported to a DWG or DXF.

  • Export options - Select whether all layers or only the layers visible in your View are exported to a DWG/DXF.

IMAGE Options:

• • Image Format - Select from PNG, JPG, GIF and BMP.

  • Image Size - Set the physical size in pixels of exported images.

  • Image Quality - Reduce / Increase the quality of exported images (applies to JPG file format only).

LAYERS

AUTO

• • Export Files Automatically - Export PDF, DWG, JPG etc automatically when you close your drawing.

  • Upload to Floorplan Live - Set a View to automatically be uploaded to Floorplan Live.

Other:

Select a View to load on-screen

Managing Views

How do I change the corner nodes on my Stands from Blue to Red and vice-versa?

Draw Rectangular Stands:

• Draw Rectangular Stands using your mouse to set the size

• Draw Rectangular Stands by typing the size

• Draw Rectangular Stands on an Angle

Create Irregular / Circular Shaped Stands:

• Draw Irregular Shaped Stands

• Draw Circular Stands

Create Stands from other objects:

• Create Stands from a Polyline

• Build/Convert stands from an imported DWG

Selecting Stands:

Select a Single Stand

Select Multiple Stands

Selecting Stands that are a particular Stand Type / Colour - Useful for changing a set of stands from one colour to another.

Selecting Stands ONLY - Lock the system so only Stands can be selected.

Adding/Editing and Removing Stand Numbers:

• Adding/Editing/Deleting individual Stand Numbers

• Adding Multiple Stand Numbers (Method 1) - This method allows you to add multiple Stand Numbers with an increment specified by you.

• Adding Multiple Stand Numbers (Method 2) - This method allows you to add multiple Stand Numbers randomly with one click.

• Removing Stand Numbers for single or multiple stands

Number size and Position:

Edit Number position for a single Stand - Use this when you only need to reposition a Number for a single stand. You can position the Number anywhere.

Edit Number position for multipe stands - Use this to change the position of Numbers for multiple stands. Numbers can only positioned Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right and Centre.

Reset Number Format and Position

Other Options:

Add / Edit / Remove Prefixes and Suffixes on Stand Numbers

Checking for duplicate Stand Numbers

Change Stand Number Colour

Adding Names to Stands:

Names that you add to a stand don't have to be just Company Names, they can be the names of features, catering, storage or any other name.

• • Using the Stand Details box - Adding names this way gives you the most options.

  • Copying and Pasting - Use this when copying names from another document or email.

  • Using the F4 menu - This is a quick way to add an existing name to one or multiple stands.

  • Import from a spreadsheet - Use this method to add mutiple names to multiple stands.

  • Adding Sharing Company Names

Editing Stand Names:

Editing Company Names using the Stand Details box - Use this to quickly edit names that are already on a stand.

Removing Names from Stands:

Note: Removing Names from stands does not delete them permanently, use the Company Names Manager to do that.

• Using the Stand Details box - Use this to remove a name(s) that is already on a stand.

• Using the Clear Properties function - Use this to remove Names from single or multiple stands.

Name size and Position:

Edit Company Name Position for a single Stand - Use this when you only need to reposition a Name for a single stand. You can position the Name anywhere.

Edit Name position for multiple stands - Use this to change the position of Names for multiple stands. Names can only positioned Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right and Centre.

Reset Company Name Format and Position

Company Names Manager:

Add Names - Add names that can then be added to stands.

Import Names - Import names form a spreadsheet or another drawing.

Edit Names - Edit existing names

Capitalising Names - Change the Capitalisation for Names e.g. AAA or Aaa

Delete Names - Delete existing names

Purge Unused Names - Purge (delete) names that are not in use.

Other Options:

Change Stand Name Colour

Unhiding Company Names - Names are usually hidden when you don't want them shown on a stand that is shared by multiple companies.

Perimeter Stand Dimensions:

• Add / Remove single Stand Dimensions

• Add or Tidy multiple Stand Dimensions

• Change Perimeter Dimension Text Colour

• Reset Perimeter Text Format and Position

Stand Square Meterage (SQMs):

• Show / Hide SQMs for one or multiple stands

• Change SQMs Text Colour

• Reset SQM Text Format and Position

To change the colour of your stands, a system called 'Plan Types' and 'Stand Types' is used.

What are Plan Types and Stand Types?

Create Plan Types and Stand Types

Importing Plan and Stand Types from an existing drawing

Add a new Stand Type (colour) - Use this when you want to add a new Stand Type option such as 'On Hold' 'Reserved' etc.

Change the colour of an existing Stand Type.

Change Stand Types quickly for multiple stands

Insert a Stand Type Colour Key

Open Sides:

Calculate Open Sides (Stand Fascias) - Show open sides as dashed lines.

Toggle Open/Closed Sides

Coloured Lines:

Calculate Stand Line Colours (Stand Edges and Walls).

Toggle Stand Line Colours

Line Visibility:

Toggle Stand Line Visibility (Stand Edges and Walls).

Reset Lines:

Reset Stand Lines back to the default (back to solid edges).

Combining Stands:

• Combine Stands - Combine Stands which are joined to each other

• Combine Stands - Combine Stands which are NOT joined to each other

Splitting Stands:

• Split Stands into 2

• Split Stands into 4

Adjusting Stand Sizes:

• • Change Stand Sizes

  • Change Stand Sizes for multiple Stands (Stretch function)

Moving Stands:

• • Using the Grid - Move stands by counting the Grid squares

  • Using X-Y Coordinates - Dimensions appear while moving

  • Using keyboard arrows keys - Useful for moving stands in odd increments

Copying Stands:

• • Using Copy and Paste - This also copies the numbers and names but not colours. The copy base point is random.

  • Using Nodes - This does not copy numbers, names or colours. The copy base point is based on the Node you select.

  • Using the Copy function - This does not copy numbers, names or colours. The copy base point can be anywhere.

• Rotate Stands

• Mirror Stands

• Deleting Stands

Changing Stand shapes:

• Change the shape of a stand

• Add/Remove nodes on a Stand boundary - Use this to create more complex Stand shapes

Editing Stand shapes:

• Change the shape of a stand

• Add/Remove nodes on a Stand boundary - Use this to create more complex Stand shapes

Tidy Stand Boundaries - This helps fix Stands not drawn correctly, particulary  after importing a DWG from another source.

Swapping Stand information between 2 stands

Add Hyperlinks to Stands - This makes stands 'Clickable' on an exported PDF.

Edit Stand Build Heights

Add a Border

Changing the Size of a Border

Change the Orientation of a Border - Landscape to Portrait and vice-versa.

Change the name of a Border

Delete a Border

Adding Logos:

Insert a Show or Sponsor Logo - Use this to insert a Show or Sponsor logo that you have saved on your computer.

Insert a Logo using Copy and Paste - Use this for inserting logos you've found on a webpage or for copying from another document.

Edit Logos:

Adjust the Size and Position of a Logo

Delete a Logo

Turn a colour logo into Grayscale (Black and White)

Make your logos clickable in an exported PDF by adding a Hyperlink

Insert some basic text

Insert text that automatically updates such as an Issue Number or Date

For Stand Dimensions, see Stands section above.

Gangway Dimensions:

• Adding Gangway/Aisle Dimensions

• Editing Gangway/Aisle Dimensions

• Checking your floorplan for gangway widths less than the amount allowed

• Gangway Dimension Settings

Other Dimensions:

Add Pillar Dimensions - Add dimensions to pillars and from pillar edges to stand edges.

Add Service Duct Dimensions - Add dimensions to service ducts to stand edges.

Miscellaneous Dimension Styles - To change the appearance of your dimensions.

Inserting Keys:

Insert a Stand Type Colour Key

Insert a Zone Colour Key

Insert a Hall Colour Key

Insert a Gangway Carpets Colour Key

Downloading Symbols:

Some basic Symbols are included with EFD but we recommend downloading additional ones.

• Download Symbols

Inserting Symbols

• Using the Symbols Panel (Recommended)

• Using the Insert menu - Use this when you need to update symbols on your floorplan to an updated version stored on your computer.

Creating Symbols:

Create a Symbol - Create a Symbol from scratch.

Re-create / Update a Symbol - Use this to update the contents of a Symbol.

Editing Symbols:

• Change the size of a Symbol

• Rotate a Symbol

• Change the Colour of the entities within the Symbol

Lines and polylines - What's the difference?

• Draw a Line

• Draw a Polyline

• Draw a Filled Polyline

• Convert Lines to a Polyline

• Convert Polylines to Lines

• Add nodes to Polylines - Adding nodes allows you to increase the segments of a polyline for more detailed editing.

• Remove Nodes from Polylines

• Change the Width (thickness) of a Polyline

• Keeping Lines straight while drawing

Draw a Circle

Draw an Ellipse

Draw an Arc

Draw a Rectangle

Draw a polygon

Draw a Multi-line

Draw a Spline

View Meterage Report:

Simple Stand SQM Calculation - Use this to quickly check the SQM for all or group of stands

Detailed Meterage Report - Use this to view a detailed Meterage Report

Export Meterage Report to a Spreadsheet (Includes Exhibitor List):

• Export a Meterage Report Manually - Manually Export a Meterage Report to a spreadsheet.

• Export a Meterage Report Automatically - Export a Meterage Report to a spreadsheet automatically when your Drawing is closed.

Creating Hall Boundaries (Gross Area)

• Drawing a Hall Boundary

• Creating a Hall Boundary from a Polyline

Editing Hall Boundaries

• Change the size or Shape of a Hall Boundary/Gross Area

• Combining Hall Boundaries

Create a Zone:

• Draw a Zone from scratch

• Create a Zone from a Polyline (useful for converting Zones that have been imported from another drawing or for creating complex shaped Zones using Polyines).

Edit Zones:

• Name Text

• Name Colour:

  • Change Layer Colour - Changes the colour of all Zone Names.

  • Change Colour Directly - Changes the colour of individual Zone Names.

• Name Position & Font Options

• Fill colour

• Outline Colour:

  • Change Layer Colour - Changes the colour of all Zone Outlines.

  • Change Colour Directly - Changes the colour of individual Zone Outlines.

• Outline Line Type - Dashed, Dotted ot Solid lines.

• Outline Shape - Manipulate and add nodes to change the Zone shape.

• Zone Editor - For editing most properties for Zones in one place.

Amalgamating the square metreage of multiple Zones with the same name

Convert a Zone to a Gangway Carpet

Insert a Zone Colour Key

Draw Gangway Carpets

Insert a Gangway Carpets Colour Key

Automatic Shell Scheme component calculator:

• Calculating Shell Scheme Components

Manually add Shell Scheme or other components:

• Download Component Symbols

• Drawing Preperation before inserting Component Symbols

• Insert Component Symbols

Other Options:

• Using a Custom Stand Build Grid (Advanced users only)

The Grid:

• Using the Grid

• Grid Settings

• Aligning your drawing with the Grid

• Creating a printable Grid

Zooming and Panning:

Zooming in and out of your drawing

Panning (Pan) -  Use this to move around your drawing.

Snaps:

Snaps - Snaps are when your mouse cursor snaps to differnet entities or the Grid.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Hotkeys:

• Keyboard Shortcuts - None customisable Keyboard Shortcuts.

• Hotkey List - List of default Hotkeys ready to use.

• Hot Key Customisation - Add / Change or Delete Hotkeys

Construction Lines:

• Horizontal Line

• Vertical Line

• Angled Line

The Inspection Floorplan function

Measuring a distance

Getting entity information

Drawing a Wipeout

Using Wipeouts on multiple layers

Show / Hide Venue Intelligent Objects

Draw Intelligent Service Ducts

Draw Intelligent Hall Columns/Pillars

Draw Intelligent Keep Clear Areas

Draw Intelligent Height Restricted Areas

Draw Intelligent Floor Loading Areas

Create a Custom Toolbar

Customising Hot Keys

Drawing Properties - Change the name and dates of your show, plus other options.

System Settings - Change the Autosave and Auto Files Folder and the Machine User Name.

Exhibition Properties - Change the default properties for Halls, Zones, Plan Types, Stands, Gangways, Gangway Carpets and Stand Build Options.

Visual Settings - Change the default text heights, Positions etc.