Trystan Casey
AutoCAD Electrical is a powerful tool that allows users to create and insert symbols representing electrical components such as relays and switches. These symbols can be tied together in various family relationships, including parent/child and siblings, enabling efficient design and build processes. To create AutoCAD Electrical symbols, users should open the Block Editor, utilize the Symbol Builder Attribute Editor to place attributes and connections, and then perform a symbol audit to ensure functionality. Saving symbols with the correct coding, such as V or H to indicate vertical or horizontal orientation, is crucial. Additionally, users can insert symbols by attaching them to the cursor, selecting the location, and assigning catalog values. These symbols can be added to the icon menu and Catalog Browser, facilitating easy access and insertion during projects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Connecting symbols | Symbols representing components like relays can be connected, creating parent/child relationships. |
| Symbol creation | To create a symbol, draw the required geometry and select the ‘Symbol Builder’ icon. |
| Symbol Builder Attribute Editor | This panel allows you to place ‘Required’ and ‘Optional’ attributes, ‘Wire’ connections and ‘Link’ connections. |
| Symbol audit | Once all attributes and connections are placed, a symbol audit is carried out to ensure the symbol will work. |
| Symbol library | Symbols can be saved into a custom symbol library using the correct coding, e.g. V or H for Vertical or Horizontal. |
| Symbol insertion | Symbols can be added to the icon menu and Catalog Browser. |
| Symbol sharing | Symbols can be shared and used on any project. |
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What You'll Learn
Creating symbols
AutoCAD Electrical allows users to create symbols representing components like relays and establish parent-child relationships between them. The Symbol Builder tab in AutoCAD Electrical enables the creation of custom symbols and facilitates linking them to each other. This feature ensures that the symbols can carry Device ID and BoM information, enabling cross-referencing and easy navigation between different components.
To create symbols in AutoCAD Electrical, start by accessing the Symbol Builder tab. Here, you'll find various tools and options to design and customise your symbols. You can add specific shapes, lines, and details to represent the component accurately. Utilise the available templates or create your own from scratch.
When designing symbols, consider the industry standards and conventions to ensure consistency and clarity in your electrical diagrams. Standardisation of symbols is crucial for effective communication and collaboration in engineering projects. Ensure that the symbols are visually distinct and easily recognisable, especially when dealing with complex electrical systems.
Once you've finalised the design of your symbol, the next step is to define its properties and behaviour. This includes assigning a unique name or identifier, setting the scale, and specifying any associated data or attributes. You can also establish relationships between symbols, such as parent-child connections, to build a comprehensive library of interconnected symbols.
After customising and configuring your symbol, the final step is to save it. Choose a designated path or folder to store your custom symbol library. This organised approach ensures easy access and retrieval of your symbols for future projects. It also enables you to build a comprehensive symbol library, facilitating efficient electrical design and documentation. With your symbols set up, you can now utilise them in your AutoCAD Electrical drawings, creating clear and informative representations of electrical systems.
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Adding symbols to the icon menu
To add symbols to the icon menu in AutoCAD Electrical, you can use the Icon Menu Wizard. First, open your control.dwg file and go to the Schematic tab on the ribbon. Then, go to the Tools panel and select Icon Menu Wizard. You will then be asked to select a menu file. If you are using schematic drawings, select Schematic, which will bring up the default DAT file.
Once you have selected the file, the Icon Menu Wizard will appear. Right-click on a blank area and select 'Add a new'. You can now add a new submenu page. If you have created an image for your symbol, you can use that as the page image. After clicking OK, you will see your new page. To add individual symbols, double-click on the new icon to open the new blank page. Select 'Component' on the 'Add' drop-down menu and enter the name, icon, and symbol in the dialog box. Repeat this process for any other symbols you want to include on the same page.
If you are inserting your symbols from the Catalog Browser, you do not need to add them to the Icon Menu. However, if you want to associate symbols with the catalog, go into Edit Mode on the browser and scroll over to the SYMBOL2D column. Click on the field and then click the browse button. Enter the symbol names for each symbol you want to associate, and if you have created both horizontal and vertical versions, add both. Once you click OK, the values will be added in the syntax needed for the Catalog Browser.
Finally, click 'Done' on the Symbol Builder tab and select a path pointing to your custom library/folder for the block and image file. Your symbols are now set up to link to each other and carry Device ID and BoM information.
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Parent/child relationships
To establish a parent/child relationship, users must first select objects and an insertion point, choose a child category, and add the required attributes. After selecting "Done" from the Symbol Builder tab, users specify a path to their custom library or folder for the block and image file. This sets up the symbols to link to each other, carrying Device ID and BoM information and enabling cross-referencing.
The linked symbols maintain their relative positions even when moved. All entities in the parent/child relationship will have cross-references, allowing users to "surf" between components across multiple pages. The parent will point to each child, and each child will have a pointer to the parent. These cross-references may need to be unhidden.
By considering various scenarios, users can leverage the "family" relationships in AutoCAD Electrical to show the same component in multiple drawings, enhancing the functionality and flexibility of their designs.
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Symbol auditing
When it comes to creating symbols in AutoCAD Electrical, it is important to understand the process of symbol auditing. This feature provides valuable audit information about the attributes and symbol name, based on the specific symbol type. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a symbol audit in AutoCAD Electrical:
Understanding the Symbol Audit Dialog Box
The Symbol Audit Dialog Box is a crucial feature in AutoCAD Electrical that assists in identifying and resolving issues with symbols. It provides detailed information about any errors or discrepancies associated with a particular symbol.
Initiating the Symbol Audit Process
To begin the symbol audit, the command entry "AESYMBUILDER" is used. This command opens up the Select Symbol/Objects dialog box, where you can make specific selections related to your symbol. Once you've made your choices, click "OK" to proceed.
Entering the Block Editor Environment
After clicking "OK," you will enter the block editor environment. Here, you have the flexibility to add or modify attributes as per your requirements. This step allows you to make necessary adjustments to your symbol before proceeding with the audit.
Selecting the Audit Tool
With your symbol configured, it's now time to select the Audit tool. Upon selecting this tool, a tree structure will be displayed, listing various categories of errors found within the symbol. Each category will show the number of errors identified, providing a comprehensive overview of any issues.
Analyzing and Resolving Errors
The tree structure generated by the Audit tool serves as a roadmap for addressing errors. Each category in the structure indicates the specific issues encountered. By expanding each category, you can examine the errors and work towards resolving them. It's important to review each error carefully and make the necessary corrections to ensure the symbol functions correctly.
Saving Error Information (Optional)
If needed, you can save the error information for future reference or further analysis. The error details can be saved as an .xml file, providing a convenient way to document and share any issues discovered during the symbol audit process.
It's important to note that symbol auditing is an iterative process. You may need to perform multiple audits and make adjustments to your symbol until all errors are resolved. Additionally, seeking guidance from AutoCAD forums or expert communities can provide valuable insights and solutions to common symbol auditing challenges.
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Importing AML files
Unfortunately, the AutoCAD Electrical toolset is not capable of importing .aml files for I/O map generation. However, there are several other file types that can be imported into AutoCAD Electrical. These include XLS, CSV, MDB, and XML files.
To import wires into AutoCAD Electrical, you can use the DesignCenter (Ctrl+2) and select the valid wire layers from another file. This will populate the Layer Name cell and any other cells originally used to create the wire layer. The DesignCenter allows you to pull content from other sources using a single interface, saving time and effort.
Additionally, AutoCAD Electrical provides the ability to import content through the Create/Edit Wire Type tool. This tool is accessible via the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box and enables the import of wires from various template files or files within other projects.
For importing settings, AutoCAD-based products support the use of ARG files. The process involves setting up AutoCAD with pre-set instructions, confirming its functionality, and then navigating to the Profiles Tab within the AutoCAD Options dialog box. After verifying the Current Profile, you can add it to the list, provide a name, and proceed with the export process.
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Frequently asked questions
AutoCAD Electrical is a software that allows users to connect symbols representing components like relays, creating parent-child relationships.
First, open the Block Editor and select the 'Symbol Builder' icon. Then, place the required and optional attributes, wire connections, and link connections. After that, perform a symbol audit and save your symbol with the correct coding into your custom symbol library.
Attach your symbol to the cursor and select the location. The Insert/Edit dialog will open, and the Tag will be automatically assigned. Click Lookup and assign the catalog value as needed.
Symbols in AutoCAD Electrical can represent components like relays, switches, hydraulics, pneumatics, and wiring diagrams.
Symbols in AutoCAD Electrical allow for "families," where multiple symbols can be tied together to represent one component. This saves time and effort in the design and build/debug phases of a project.
