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Pfast Holes and Fasteners Instructions
Installation
Pfast works with AutoCAD 2000 and later, but does not work with AutoCAD LT.
Unzip the downloaded zip file to your computer.
SAVE (backup) the original zip file on a flash drive, your server or another safe place in case you need to reinstall the software at a later date. Close any open applications before continuing.
After unzipping the download file, double-click on the EXE file. Follow the instructions on each screen to install the software on your computer. At the end of the installation, a window with a text file will appear. The file contains the configuration steps you must perform inside AutoCAD to complete your installation.
Please visit the CCAD Add-ons FAQ page for questions related to installation.
Layers, Linetypes, Colors and Lineweights
The Pfast.ini file can be modified to insure that Pfast holes and fasteners are created with your company's property standards. This file can be modified with a text editor, like Notepad.
Below is the default Pfast.ini file.
- LAYER
- Properties assigned Bylayer
- HIDDEN
- Name of the layer for hidden lines
- 2
- Color of hidden lines
- hidden
- Linetype of hidden lines
- 0.35
- Lineweight of hidden lines
- CENTER
- Name of the layer for center lines
- 5
- Color of center lines
- center
- Linetype of center lines
- 0.25
- Lineweight of center lines
If the specified layers do not exist, Pfast will create them using the properties defined in the Pfast.ini file.
Linetype, color and lineweight properties can be assigned to the various objects within the Pfast holes and fasteners. To do this, the Pfast.ini file should be defined as shown below.
- LINETYPE
- Properties assigned to the objects
- 2
- Color of hidden lines
- hidden
- Linetype of hidden lines
- 0.35
- Lineweight of hidden lines
- 5
- Color of center lines
- center
- Linetype of center lines
- 0.25
- Lineweight of center lines
Standards
Holes and fasteners in Pfast can be selected from a list of ANSI or Metric options. There is no metric pipe thread option.
Measurement Systems
The unit of measure for current drawing is extracted from the Units command settings. Pfast adjusts the scale factor of metric holes in Inch drawings and ANSI holes a metric drawing. Make sure that you select the proper Measurement system to insure that Pfast holes and fasteners are scaled correctly.
Views
Plan and elevation views may be drawn for all Pfast holes and fasteners. You can choose hidden and solid linework for each view. Center lines may be enabled or disabled for each view separately. The initial setting for all Plan views is solid. The elevation view setting is initially hidden.
Editing Holes and Fasteners
Each Pfast hole and fastener is a parametrically defined block, making it easy to move, copy, rotate and otherwise manipulate the object while saving disk space. Fastener assemblies (fastener, nut and washers) are associated using groups, allowing the assemblies to be selected as a group or individually.
Because Pfast holes and fasteners are anonymous block objects, you must use the PfastEdit command to make geometry changes to objects created with Pfast.
Hole and Fastener Data
Pfast Holes and Fasteners retain description, size and thread information that can be listed with the PfastList command or for use in leaders with the PfastLabel command.
Exercises and Examples
The following section outlines several exercises and examples of Pfast commands and techniques.
Become familiar with the Pfast Toolbar or Ribbon tab (2009+) shown below.
Adding a Drilled Hole with a Note
Before adding the drilled hole, draw the two rectangles shown in red at the right. Also, set Intersection as a running OSNAP. Make sure OSNAP, POLAR and OTRACK are turned on.
Select Drilled Hole 
from the Pfast toolbar or ribbon tab.
Make sure Fraction is selected as the Type of drilled hole.
Scroll to 1/4 in the Size list box.
Check the remaining settings and click the OK button.
When prompted
Center point of plan view:
click a point within the upper rectangle.
When prompted
Center point of elevation view:
move your pointer straight down until the dotted line (Polar) intersects the top edge of the lower rectangle and click.
When prompted
Drill depth:
continue to move your pointer down until the dotted line (Polar) intersects the bottom edge of the lower rectangle and click. Note: you may enter the drill depth at the keyboard instead.
When prompted
Rotation angle:
move your pointer straight down to indicate the rotation angle and click. Note: you may enter the rotation angle at the keyboard instead.
To add the drill note, select the PfastLabel 
command from the toolbar or ribbon tab.
When prompted
Select object:
click on the hole in the plan view (see blue, dashed circle).
When prompted
Next point:
move your pointer down and to the left and click.
When prompted
Next point:
press ENTER.
Pfast looks for other dimensions in the drawing and places the label on the same layer.
Listing a Hole or Fastener
If you need information about a hole or fastener that you've added, but don't require a label, use the PfastList command. Select PfastList 
from the Pfast toolbar or ribbon tab.
When prompted
Select object:
click the hole or fastener to list.
A message box like the one at the right will be displayed. The text string used by the PfastLabel command is displayed. If countersunk, counterbored or clearance hole is selected, the thread and head type (if necessary) information will also be listed.
Adding a Fastener Assembly
Before adding the fastener assembly, draw the four rectangles shown in red and green at the right. Also, set Intersection as a running OSNAP. Make sure OSNAP, POLAR and OTRACK are turned on.
Select Fasteners 
from the Pfast toolbar or ribbon tab.
Use the Group drop down to select BOLT.
HEX HEAD is the only BOLT Style, so there is no need to choose a Style.
Select PLAIN B-REGULAR for the washer at the fastener head and threaded end.
Select HEX NUT from the list of nuts.
Note: If the text Size Unavailable is displayed to the right of any these items it means that that item isn't available for the selected size fastener. Choose a different item or thread size for the fastener.
Place a 
next to Plan View Washer 2 and Nut to cause the washer and nut at the threaded end of the fastener assembly to be displayed with a hidden linetype.
Now, choose the nominal thread size of 3/8 for the bolt.
Although you can choose the length of the bolt from the list, it can be handy to have Pfast calculate the minimum bolt length required for the fastener assembly you've selected.
Click the Check Distance < button. The Pfast window will disappear temporarily.
When prompted
First Point:
select the intersection at Point 1.
When prompted
Next Point:
select the intersection at Point 2.
The Pfast window will reappear with the minimum bolt length highlighted. The check distance function takes into account any washers or nuts in the fasteners assembly.
Make sure a appears next to each Fastener view option.
The Plan view of the Fastener assembly will be drawn as well as the Elevation view of the Fastener Head and Body.
Select Hidden, Solid and Center Mark options as shown at the right. The Plan and Elevation view of the Fastener Head will be drawn in Solid lines, while the Fastener Body will be Hidden. Center Marks and Lines will be drawn for each view.
Click the OK button.
When prompted
Center point of plan view:
click a point within the upper rectangle.
When prompted
Center point of elevation view of 3/8 fastener:
Move your pointer straight down until the dotted line (Polar) intersects with the top edge of the lower red rectangle and click.
When prompted
Washer location:
continue to move your pointer down until the dotted line (Polar) intersects with the bottom edge of the lower green rectangle and click.
When prompted
Rotation angle:
move your pointer straight down to indicate the rotation angle and click. Note: you may enter the rotation angle at the keyboard instead.
The Fastener assembly is completed.
Editing a Hole or Fastener
Sometimes a hole or fastener will need minor changes, like the clearance hole shown here. The bottom portion of the hole needs trimmed to the angled edge of the part.
Select PfastEdit 
from the Pfast toolbar or ribbon tab.
When prompted
Select object:
click the hole or fastener to edit. The hole is temporarily exploded so you can make the necessary modifications.
The Trim command is used to remove the end of the lines. Any command can be used to alter the hole or fastener object. The Center Line was shortened using the Stretch mode of Grip Edit.
After completing the changes, select the
Save back changes to reference button (circled) in the Refedit toolbar or ribbon tab or right-click and choose Close REFEDIT Session > Save Reference Edits… from the menu.
The PfastEdit command is complete and the object is returned to a block.
Changing the Linetype of a Hole or Fastener
You can quickly change the linetype of an object in a Pfast hole or fastener to Hidden or Solid by using the Make Object Hidden and Make Object Solid commands respectively.
Select Make Object Hidden 
from the Pfast toolbar or ribbon tab.
When prompted
Select object:
click the object within the hole or fastener to change.
The object is changed. Continue selecting objects to change, then press ENTER when finished.
Follow the same procedure to Make Object Solid.