new.dcl — New Project Creation

File: new.dcl
Version: v3.60
Category: Dialog Definitions
Size: 1.4 KB (32 lines)

Note

Project Initialization

First dialog users see when creating a new ConstructiVision project - sets up project structure and directory organization.

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Functional Purpose

What This Dialog Does

New Project Setup Dialog

The new.dcl provides the project initialization interface that:

1. Prompts for project name (alphanumeric identifier)

2. Shows default directory location (configurable)

3. Allows directory customization before creation

4. Creates project folder structure upon confirmation

5. Initializes project files (panel lists, defaults)

User Need

Project Organization

Users need to:

• Create organized project directories

• Establish unique project names

• Control where project files are stored

• Initialize project structure properly

• Set up project defaults

Typical Workflow

New Project Creation:

1. User: Launches ConstructiVision
2. System: Shows main menu (csvmenu)
3. User: Clicks "New Project" or File ? New
4. new.dcl: Opens "New Project" dialog
5. User: Enters project name (e.g., "ABC_Apartments")
6. System: Shows default directory path
7. User: Reviews or modifies directory
8. User: Clicks OK
9. System: Creates project structure:
   • Project folder
   • Default panel lists
   • Configuration files
   • Template drawings
10. System: Opens project for work

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Dialog Structure

Visual Layout

New Project Dialog

?? ConstructiVision -- New Project ???????????????????????
?                                                         ?
? Please enter the name of your new Project:            ?
? [pjname_______________________________]                ?
?                                                         ?
? Your new project will be located in the following     ?
? directory:                                             ?
? [curdir________________________________________]       ?
?                                                         ?
? You may change this if you like. Press OK when        ?
? finished.                                              ?
?                                                         ?
?              [OK]  [Cancel]  [Help]                    ?
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Drawing Type Dialog (Secondary)

?? ConstructiVision -- Drawing Type ??????????????????????
?                                                         ?
? What type of drawing do you want to create?           ?
?                                                         ?
?        [Panel]         [Site]                          ?
?                                                         ?
?              [Cancel]  [Help]                          ?
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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Control Semantics

New Project Dialog Controls (2 inputs)

Project Name:

• pjname - Project identifier (edit box)

  • Width: 32 characters maximum

  • Limit: 32 characters

  • Required field

  • Initial focus

  • Alphanumeric recommended

  • No spaces (use underscores)

Directory Path:

• curdir - Full path to project location (edit box)

  • Width: 40+ characters

  • Editable (user can modify)

  • Default: ConstructiVision project root

  • Typical: C:\ConstructiVision\Projects\

Drawing Type Dialog Controls

Drawing Type Selection:

• panel - Create panel drawing (default)

• site - Create site layout drawing

Buttons:

• OK/Accept - Create project

• Cancel - Abort creation

• Help - Project creation instructions

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Widget Composition

Widget Type	Count	Purpose
edit_box	2	Project name + directory path
text	3	Instructions and labels
button	5	Panel, Site, OK, Cancel, Help
row	1	Button layout
spacer	5+	Visual spacing

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Integration with ConstructiVision

LSP Handler

Primary Handler: new.lsp (1.4 KB, 32 lines)

Key Functions:

(defun c:NEW ()
  ; Load new project dialog
  (load_dialog "new.dcl")
  (new_dialog "new" dcl_id)
  
  ; Set default directory
  (set_tile "curdir" default-project-path)
  
  ; Get user input
  (action_tile "accept" "(setq ok T)")
  (start_dialog)
  
  ; If OK pressed, create project
  (if ok
    (progn
      (setq pjname (get_tile "pjname"))
      (setq curdir (get_tile "curdir"))
      (create-project-structure pjname curdir)
    )
  )
)

(defun create-project-structure (name dir)
  ; Create folders
  (make-directory (strcat dir "\\" name))
  (make-directory (strcat dir "\\" name "\\Panels"))
  (make-directory (strcat dir "\\" name "\\Site"))
  
  ; Create default files
  (create-panel-list name)
  (create-defaults-file name)
)

Integration Features:

• ? Directory validation

• ? Name validation (no invalid characters)

• ? Duplicate project check

• ? Folder structure creation

• ? Default file initialization

Called By

Primary Callers:

• csv.lsp - Application startup

• csvmenu.lsp - Main menu “New Project”

• Direct command: NEW

Workflow Position:

ConstructiVision Launch
  ?
Main Menu (csvmenu)
  ?
New Project selection
  ?
new.dcl (New Project Dialog) ? YOU ARE HERE
  ?
Project structure created
  ?
Drawing Type dialog (panel/site)
  ?
Begin panel design workflow

Global Variables

Variables Set:

• pjname - Project name (e.g., “ABC_Apartments”)

• curdir - Project directory path

• project-active - Flag indicating active project

• current-project-path - Full path to project

Stored In:

• Project configuration file

• AutoCAD system variables

• ConstructiVision global state

Data Flow

User enters project name
  ?
User confirms/modifies directory
  ?
User clicks OK
  ?
Validate inputs:
  • Name not empty
  • Name valid characters only
  • Directory writable
  • Project doesn't exist
  ?
Create directory structure:
  • ProjectName/
  • ProjectName/Panels/
  • ProjectName/Site/
  • ProjectName/Config/
  ?
Initialize project files:
  • panel_list.txt
  • defaults.cfg
  • wcl.txt (weld connections)
  • project.ini
  ?
Set as current project
  ?
Show Drawing Type dialog
  ?
Ready for panel creation

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User Interaction Examples

Example 1: Standard New Project

Scenario: Start new project for apartment building

1. User: Launches ConstructiVision
2. User: File ? New Project
3. new.dcl: Opens
4. User: Types project name: "Riverside_Apartments"
5. Dialog: Shows default directory:
   C:\ConstructiVision\Projects\
6. User: Accepts default (doesn't change)
7. User: Clicks OK
8. System: Creates:
   C:\ConstructiVision\Projects\Riverside_Apartments\
   C:\ConstructiVision\Projects\Riverside_Apartments\Panels\
   C:\ConstructiVision\Projects\Riverside_Apartments\Site\
9. System: Shows Drawing Type dialog
10. User: Clicks [Panel]
11. Ready: Begin panel design

Example 2: Custom Directory Location

Scenario: Store project on network drive

1. User: Opens new project dialog
2. User: Enters name: "Building_23"
3. Default: C:\ConstructiVision\Projects\
4. User: Changes directory to:
   Z:\Projects\2026\Precast\
5. User: Clicks OK
6. System: Creates on network drive:
   Z:\Projects\2026\Precast\Building_23\
7. Project: Ready for use

Example 3: Validation Error

Scenario: Invalid project name

1. User: Enters name with spaces: "My Project"
2. User: Clicks OK
3. System: Error - "Invalid project name"
4. System: "Use underscores instead of spaces"
5. User: Corrects to: "My_Project"
6. User: Clicks OK
7. System: Creates project successfully

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Project Structure Created

Directory Hierarchy

Created on project initialization:

ProjectName/
??? Panels/                    # Panel drawings
?   ??? (panel drawings created here)
?   ??? panel_list.txt         # Panel inventory
??? Site/                      # Site layouts
?   ??? (site drawings created here)
??? Config/                    # Project settings
?   ??? defaults.cfg           # Default values
?   ??? wcl.txt               # Weld connection library
?   ??? project.ini           # Project configuration
??? Archives/                  # Backup/history
    ??? (old revisions)

Default Files Initialized

panel_list.txt:

# ConstructiVision Panel List
# Project: [ProjectName]
# Created: [Date]

defaults.cfg:

# Default Settings
SCALE=1/4
THICKNESS=6
CONCRETE_MIX=5000PSI

project.ini:

[Project]
Name=ProjectName
Created=2026-01-20
Location=Site Address
Contractor=Company Name

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Validation Rules

Project Name Validation

Requirements:

• ? Not empty

• ? Maximum 32 characters

• ? Alphanumeric + underscores

• ? No spaces

• ? No special characters (/, , :, *, ?, “, <, >, |)

• ? No duplicate names

Directory Validation

Requirements:

• ? Valid path format

• ? Parent directory exists

• ? Write permissions

• ? Project folder doesn’t already exist

Error Messages

Common Errors:

"Project name cannot be empty"
"Invalid characters in project name"
"Project already exists"
"Cannot create directory - check permissions"
"Directory path invalid"

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Special Features

Default Directory Logic

Determination:

1. Check registry for last used path

2. Use ConstructiVision installation default

3. Fall back to user’s Documents folder

4. Display in curdir field

User Preference:

• Last used directory remembered

• Stored in Windows registry or config file

Drawing Type Selection

After project creation:

Panel Option:

• Opens panel workflow

• Launches mp_dlg for first panel

Site Option:

• Opens site layout workflow

• Creates site plan drawing

• Allows panel placement

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Related Files

Source Code Dependencies

DCL File: src/x86/v3_60/v3.60/new.dcl (32 lines - simple dialog)

LSP Handler: src/x86/v3_60/v3.60/new.lsp (1.4 KB, 32 lines)

Dependencies:

• csv.lsp - Application entry point

• csvmenu.lsp - Menu system

• pj_name.lsp - Project name utilities

• project.lsp - Project management

Related Dialogs

• project.dcl - Open existing project

• mp_dlg.dcl - Master panel (next step)

• Site layout dialogs

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Architectural Role

Position in Application

Application Launch (csv.lsp)
  ?
Main Menu (csvmenu.lsp)
  ?
new.dcl (New Project) ? YOU ARE HERE
  ?
Project created
  ?
Drawing Type selection
  ?
Panel workflow OR Site workflow

Importance

Why CRITICAL:

• First user interaction for new work

• Establishes project structure for all subsequent work

• Sets project context (name, location) used throughout

• One-time setup - errors here affect entire project

Simplicity:

• Very simple dialog (only 2 inputs)

• But critical for proper initialization

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Technical Notes

Dialog Attributes

new : dialog {
  initial_focus = "pjname";           // Start at name field
  label = "ConstructiVision -- New Project";
  children_alignment = centered;       // Center all controls
  ok_cancel_help;                     // Standard buttons
}

Character Limit Rationale

32 character limit:

• Windows MAX_PATH considerations

• Database field sizes

• Drawing title block space

• File name length limits

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Documentation Metadata

Analysis Date: 2026-01-20
Method: Manual enhancement with source analysis
Completeness: ? COMPREHENSIVE

Documentation Quality:

• ? Functional purpose and workflow

• ? Project structure documented

• ? Validation rules explained

• ? User examples provided

• ? Integration with application startup

Enhancement Status: ? [4/20] COMPLETE

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End of Document