Layouts

A layout is a VCMX file that allows you to save your work in the 3D world and drawing area.

Usage

A layout is always open in the 3D world can be filled with components and other layouts. A saved layout contains information related to components, layout items and the settings of a scene. Generally, the contents of the 3D world are cleared when you open a layout, and that layout becomes the current layout of the 3D world. If you were to close a layout in the 3D world, the new empty layout opened in the 3D world when you started Visual Components Premium 4.8 would become the current layout.

References

A layout references the VCID of a component to reduce its file size. Other data about a component is saved automatically in a layout including its location, connections and property values.

Layout items

Layout items are visual objects that are not components, for example dimensions and annotations. A layout item is saved in a layout and automatically recreated when you open the layout in the 3D world. In some cases, layout items can be exported as one or more types of files. For example, you can export or print drawings.

Settings

Some settings for a scene are saved in a layout. For example, the current 3D world view is saved with a layout.

File Structure

A layout is a native archive file in Visual Components Premium 4.8 that is saved with a .vcmx file extension. Every layout will contain at least four files.

• layout.rsc contains the data needed by Visual Components Premium 4.8 to generate the layout.
• component.dat contains the layout's metadata.
• layout_preview_icon.tga is the image displayed when you preview the layout in the eCatalog panel.
• layout_icon.tga is the icon representing the layout in the eCatalog panel.