AutoCAD Electrical

Table Styles in AutoCAD Electrical

AutoCAD Electrical uses table styles in cross-referencing (table format), terminal strip editor, and reports. Table styles control the text style, size, and alignment, cell margins, fill color, and borders.

When you set up your cross-referencing style, insert a terminal strip or report table, the dialogs all allow you to pick a table style.

Recently, I had someone ask me where this list of table styles come from. He wanted to remove the ones he didn't use and add the ones he did.

This list comes from the active drawing and TABLESTYLE.DWG. The default location for TABLESTYLE.DWG is C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD Electrical {version}\{release number}\{country code}\Support\.

If you want to add or remove table styles from the list, all you have to do is open this drawing and update the table styles. Once you save the TABLESTYLE.DWG, the next time you go into any of the dialogs that use this list, you will see your table styles.

I added two new styles to my TABLESTYLE.DWG, one for cross-referencing and one for terminal strip editor. So my drop-down list now includes those.

I got a little fancy with my styles. I added some fill colors, changed some of the text properties, and defined some double borders. Now when I use these styles, I automatically get the look I want.

Make sure when you set up your table styles, you set the sizes based on whether you are working in metric or inches. And don't forget to set the cell margins so the text doesn't end up right on the border lines.

- Pat Murnen

AutoCAD Electrical Subscription Advantage Pack 2

The Subscription Advantage Pack is a collection of value-added features available to subscription based users. As of November 15th, the Subscription Advantage Pack 2 (SAP2) is ready to be downloaded.

Here's a sneak peek at what's packed in this release:

Include Autodesk Inventor Parts in Panel Bill Of Material

In Electromechanical projects, if AutoCAD Electrical parts are linked to their corresponding Autodesk Inventor Parts, you can generate a combined Bill of Material Report. A new option is now available in the Panel Bill of Material report to include the Inventor Parts in the report. A “Source” column has been added in the report to distinguish Electrical parts, Inventor parts, and/or Linked parts from each other.

 

Linking AutoCAD Electrical components and Inventor parts in Location View Tab

If you’re working on an Electromechanical project, you can now link the AutoCAD Electrical component(s) to Inventor part(s) right from the Location View tab. Follow these simple steps:

1. On the Location View tab, right click on the component you want to link.

2. Select the “Assign to Existing in Component Tree”.

3. Find the corresponding component that you want to link to and select it.

The components are now linked.

Item Number Balloon update

In an active drawing, any modifications to balloon configurations can be applied to not only new balloons, but also already existing ones. The process is simple:

1. Open the Panel Drawing Configuration dialog.

2. Modify the balloon properties in the Balloon setup.

3. On selecting “Apply to all balloons in active drawing”, the properties are updated. 

 

Want to know more?

Please go through these links to know more about the new feature enhancements!

http://help.autodesk.com/view/ACAD_E/2016/ENU/?guid=GUID-E575CF90-629B-4554-B019-B7A357BC633C 

Please check out the following video:

 

Are you on subscription? Do you want these features?

Download from the Autodesk Subscription Center. If you need help on how to download, then please watch this tutorial.

We at Autodesk, value the ideas you post on the AutoCAD Electrical Ideastation which helps us understand the problems you face. We want to thank each one of you who took out the time to post new ideas and promote other valuable ideas. We encourage users to post new ideas & enhancement suggestions on this forum and give kudos to others’ ideas that they support which in turn helps us filter the most valued ideas.

Thanks,

AutoCAD Electrical Ideastation team

 

 

 

Adding Content – Inserting the Symbols

This article is part 4, the final installment in my series on adding content to AutoCAD Electrical.

1. Create your set of symbols
2. Add the data to the catalog database
3. Add your symbol to the icon menu and Catalog Browser
4. Insert the symbol

In the previous article I looked at adding the symbols to the icon menu and Catalog Browser. So now we are ready to insert the symbol.

Insert Symbol from Icon Menu

1. Open the Icon Menu, Schematic tab > Insert Components pane > Icon Menu.
2. Locate and select your symbol.
   
3. Your symbol is attached to your cursor, making it easy to insert.
   
4. Once you select the location, the appropriate Insert\Edit dialog opens. The Tag is automatically assigned based on the Drawing Properties settings.
5. Click Lookup and assign the catalog value as needed.
6. Click OK. If everything goes as expected, wires break as needed.
   

Insert Symbol from Catalog Browser

1. If the Catalog Browser isn't open, click Schematic tab > Insert Components panel > Catalog Browser.
   You may need to expand the Icon Menu drop-down to find this command. The Catalog Browser can remain open all the time if you use it often. You can use other commands while it is open.
2. Search for your catalog value.
3. Click the record in the browser. The menu with any associated symbols displays.
   

   If you associated multiple symbols, the menu shows them all.

4. Click the symbol and select the location.
5. The symbols is inserted and the Insert\Edit dialog opens. The catalog value is already assigned since it was inserted from the Catalog Browser.
   
6. Add any other values needed and click OK.

-Pat Murnen

Adding Content - Add Symbols to the Icon Menu and Catalog Browser

This article is part 3 in my series on adding content to AutoCAD Electrical.

1. Create your set of symbols
2. Add the data to the catalog database
3. Add your symbol to the icon menu and Catalog Browser
4. Insert the symbol

Adding a Symbol to the Icon Menu

Note: If you always insert your symbols from the Catalog Browser you do not need to do this.

Use the Icon Menu Wizard to add new pages and components to the Icon Menu.

I know I eventually will add a family of symbols, so first I'll add a new submenu page.

Since I created an image when making my symbol (earlier post), I can use that for the page image.

After clicking OK I can see my new page at the end.

Now I need to add the individual symbol(s).

1. Double-click the new icon so it opens the new blank page.
2. Select Component on the Add drop-down menu.
   
3. Then enter the name, icon, and symbol on the dialog.
4. Repeat adding Components for any other symbols that you want to include on this same page. You don't need to add both the horizontal and vertical versions.
5. Once you OK out of the Icon Menu Wizard and open the actual Icon Menu, you'll see that your new submenu and components are there.
   

For more information see the Help topic, To Work With the Icon Menu Wizard.

Adding Symbols to the Catalog Browser

There are a couple of ways to add symbols to the Catalog Browser so that when you pick a catalog value you are presented with the symbols for insertion. Both methods require that the record be visible in the browser. So make sure you do a search on the browser so the catalog record is available.

Method 1: Symbol is on the Icon Menu

1. When you click a catalog record the menu displays. Since no symbols are associated to the record it looks like this –

   

2. Click the button that opens the Icon Menu from the browser.
3. Navigate to the symbol you want to associate to the catalog record and select it.
4. Select to map the symbol.
   
5. Next time you select this record on the browser, the symbol can be inserted without going into the icon menu.
   

Method 2: Edit Catalog Database to Add Symbol

1. Go into Edit Mode on the browser.
2. Scroll over to the SYMBOL2D column.
3. Click once in the field and click the browse button that displays.
4. Enter the symbol names for each symbol you want to associate to the catalog. If you created both the horizontal and vertical versions, make sure to add both. Once you OK, the values are added in the syntax needed for the Catalog Browser.
5. If you are also using Inventor, you can add a 3D part in the SYMBOL3D field. Then, when you use the Catalog Browser in Inventor you can insert your electrical part.
6. Click to save your changes.

-Pat Murnen

AutoCAD Electrical Symbol Builder – Attribute Templates

Recently I had a few questions from customers about the Symbol Builder and how the attribute templates work. They were trying to add a new category of symbols and running into a few problems.

When you first start Symbol Builder you get a dialog box with lots of options. The ones I want to talk about today are the Symbol and Type drop-down lists.

What you pick on these 2 drop-downs control which attributes are available, and some default values, when you get into the Symbol Builder environment.

You can always add attributes and change values, but starting with a good attribute template can save a lot of time when creating new symbols.

But, how does it do this and how do I add my own values to these drop-down lists?

AutoCAD Electrical uses a set of library symbols, that I will call attribute templates, to accomplish this. Each library symbol has the default attributes for a certain type of symbol. For example, if it is an attribute template for a schematic parent, it will have the TAG1, while an attribute template for a schematic child will have TAG2.

Attribute templates follow the naming convention, AT_{symbol}_{type}.

The {symbol} value appears in the Symbol drop-down list.

Certain codes are recognized by Symbol Builder, such as HP for Horizontal Parent or HC for Horizontal Child. Or you can use the full text, such as "Horizontal Parent".

For example, if you wanted to add some attribute templates for pre-built PLC modules, you could have a group of attribute template symbols that started with AT_PLC_. As soon as I add a library symbol (in my project's schematic library path) using this naming convention, it shows up in the drop-down.

The {type} value from the symbol name appears in the Type drop-down list.

The values in the Type drop-down are filtered by what you select in the Symbol drop-down. In this example I selected Horizontal Parent, so the drop-down includes symbols named AT_HP_*. You can see how the list of library symbols matches up with what is shown in the list. I will talk in a minute about where the descriptions comes from. But, first let's add a Type entry for our new PLC symbol category.

Let's say I want to add a template for a PLC symbol with 4 I/O points. I could name it AT_PLC_4IO. As soon as I create the symbol and restart Symbol Builder, it shows up in the Type drop-down.

If I add more AT_PLC_* templates, they also show up.

But, notice they don't have descriptions like the others. To have a description show up here, you need to map each Type abbreviation (4IO, 6IO, 8IO) in the _FAMILY_DESCRIPTION table of the catalog database, i.e. default_cat.mdb.

Then, the descriptions show up in the drop-down.

Of course, for this to be useful you need to add the appropriate attributes and default values to your attribute templates. Knowing what attributes need to be on a certain symbol type is a topic for another day. Until then, you can start with the Help topic, About Schematic Attributes, to get information about the various types of schematic attributes. And to learn more about Symbol Builder attribute templates, see the Help topic To Create a Symbol Builder Attribute Template.

- Pat Murnen

Drawing and Project Properties for Wire Sequence

This article is third in my series about wire sequencing. I started with this diagram to show the high level logic for how AutoCAD Electrical 2016 determines the wire sequence when there are more than 2 components connected in the same wire network.

I covered using the Edit Wire Sequence command to define a specific sequence, including when a terminal is part of the wire network. I also talked about using angle tees to define the sequence.

Now, I want to look at the drawing and project properties for wire sequence. If the wire network does not have a wire sequence defined and it does not use angle tees, the drawing property is checked.

If the drawing property is set to No Override, then the corresponding project property is used.

The sort order options are the same whether you set it as a drawing property or as the project property. Let's use this wire network as an example to see the results of each sorting option.

In each image below:

• The red numbers indicate the order the components are found in the network based on the sorting property.
• The wiring shows how AutoCAD Electrical interprets the network.
• The CMP1 and CMP2 columns show the Wire From\To report results.

Left to right, moving down

Left to right, moving bottom to top

Right to left, moving down

Right to left, moving bottom to top

Top to bottom, moving right

Bottom to top, moving right

Top to bottom, moving from right to left

Bottom to top, moving from right to left

If you're looking through all the tabs on Project Properties, you'll notice another place to set the sort order on the Drawing Format tab.

This option doesn't control anything, but can be used to set the drawing property when you create new drawings. I only show it here so there is no confusion.

In my next article I will conclude the topic of wire sequencing by looking at what happens if no wire sequence is defined, no angle tees are used, and there is no drawing or project default.

-Pat Murnen

Wire Sequencing in AutoCAD Electrical 2016

When you have a wire network with more than 2 components it is important to understand how AutoCAD Electrical determines the wire sequence. Even with just 3 connected components there are a number of possibilities. (I am using boxes to represent components to keep it simple.)

AutoCAD Electrical looks at a number of things to determine the wire connection sequence.

Wire Sequencing - Flow Chart

 

As you can see it can get pretty complicated. Instead of trying to go into detail on each of these in one long post, I will do a series of posts, one post for each of the decisions shown in the red diamonds.

Define a Wire Sequence

You can use the Edit Wire Sequence command to define the sequence order of the components. 

If there is already a wire sequence defined, the order shows up in the Current column. In this example, there is not a specific wire sequence defined already. The values in the New column show the sequence I will get if I click OK-new. I use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to get the order I want. So in this example, I am saying that XX3 connects to XX1, and XX1 connects to XX2.

So with this order I see the following in my Wire From\To report –

If there is a terminal in the network I have the option to say that a particular component connects directly to the terminal. This is easier to see with more components.

It is clear that XX1 and XX2 are connected to the terminal. But, what about XX3, XX4, and XX5? Without defining any specific wire sequence, Terminal Strip Editor shows XX5 as connected to the terminal but not XX3 or XX4.

But, I can use the Edit Wire Sequence command to tell AutoCAD Electrical that all of them are connected to the terminal.

Now, when I go into Terminal Strip Editor, it shows all 5 components as connected to the terminal. Because of the terminal properties, it determines I need another terminal (highlighted in yellow).

In my next post I will talk about using angle tees to define the wire sequence.

-Pat Murnen

AutoCAD Electrical Customer Council

Want to change the future AutoCAD Electrical?

We are in constant lookout to understand what our user needs in our products. As our design cycle progresses every year there are many occasions that we want to connect with our users and get their feedbacks on our designs. This feedback is most crucial part of design iteration cycle and helps making our products more intuitive and easy to work with. One of the key feedback platform showcasing our continual design effort is AutoCAD Nautilus Customer Council.

The Customer Council is an online forum for our exclusive customers to get early access to in development product builds, learn about about potential future enhancements, and interact directly with AutoCAD Electrical Design and Development team. This platform also act as a connector with users who might be interested to delve deeper into our design progress to provide feedback on more focus design areas. In such interactions we invite our interested users for a 1:1 sessions where we showcase focused feature designs and take our users’ feedback. 

As Customer Council is an online forum it provides you the flexibility of accessing and providing feedback at your ease. Joining is really easy. If this sounds like something you would like to explore, why not become a member now:

Join the AutoCAD Electrical Customer Council

Want to play around with latest version of AutoCAD Electrical and give feedback?

Being an AutoCAD Electrical Customer council member, you can access the latest AutoCAD Electrical designs (work in progress version) with a single click. Early builds of AutoCAD Electrical (pre-Alpha) use "Argon.". Argon is an Autodesk platform for hosted desktop applications on cloud, which allows you to try Autodesk products without the need to install the actual product. This build can be used side by side of your AutoCAD Electrical. As Argon is cloud hosted, an active internet connection is required at all times. You can download the latest AutoCAd Electrical builds here:

AutoCAD Electrical Nautilus Downloads

Want to meet the team behind AutoCAD Electrical?

Ever wondered how do I reach to the team that is behind the creation of AutoCAD Electrical. If you interested in talking to us, join customer council to reach out to the AutoCAD Electrical team and share your expectations with us in the ‘User Forum’ Section. Give us your valuable feedback on how to improve AutoCAD Electrical so that we can make your vision into reality.

By,
Priyanka Pundhir and Vikas Vaishnav 

Eaton catalog data for AutoCAD Electrical & Autodesk Inventor (2015 & 2016 releases)

Introduction:

Electrical designers use AutoCAD Electrical’s comprehensive database for assigning catalog data to the components used in drawings. AutoCAD Electrical 2015 established strong interoperability with Autodesk Inventor Professional 2015 by introducing Electrical Catalog Browser add-in.

When it comes to use the same catalog data components in previous releases of Autodesk Inventor before 2015 release, they had to pick parts from various locations where inventor parts are stored. This whole process was extremely tedious & time consuming.

With the introduction of Electrical catalog browser add-in in Autodesk Inventor 2015 also brings a new column introduction (SYMBOL3D) for AutoCAD Electrical’s 2015 catalog database (default_cat.mdb) which now holds Inventor part path as well. User can now simply use the same electrical catalog database in electrical catalog browser add-in by configuring the same catalog database when they work with add-in.

Introducing new comprehensive catalog data for EATON:

Eaton is a leading manufacturer of electrical components used in various fields around the world. Eaton introduced new series of component for designers. Eaton team worked with AutoCAD Electrical team to supply catalog data for integrating with AutoCAD Electrical’s catalog database. The comprehensive catalog data also include detailed Inventor 3D parts of the new series.

Introducing Content installer for integrating Eaton’s catalog data:

AutoCAD Electrical has released a new content installer to install Eaton manufacturer catalog data to it’s content website for AutoCAD Electrical 2015 & AutoCAD Electrical 2016 releases.

How this content installer works?

In order to install the Eaton’s catalog data on your system, you must have AutoCAD Electrical 2015 or AutoCAD Electrical 2016 installed on your system. If you want to install, Inventor 3D parts on your system, you also need to have Autodesk Inventor Professional 2015 or Autodesk Inventor Professional 2016 installation on your local system.

1. Download the appropriate Eaton content packages from content website depending on AutoCAD Electrical’s version you own to your local drive.
2. Read the readme documentation that is part of installer content pack release carefully.
3. Extract the content pack zip file to your local drive.
4. Close AutoCAD Electrical instances.
5. Double click on “AceContentUpdate.exe” to install the Eaton’s new catalog data series. (Make sure you have administrative rights for installation)

 

(This screen shows Eaton content installation for Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical 2016 & Autodesk Inventor Professional 2016 release)

Note: The content installer will detect the configured path for catalog database, footprint library location, Inventor 3D parts location.

6. Click on Install button if all the paths are detected correctly.

 

Content installer will install all the components as per path configured. Once the installation is done, Eaton content updates are installed which are part of installer you selected to include in catalog database.

 

(This is catalog browser view of newly added EATON catalog series with Inventor 3D parts configured in catalog database post content installation installation)

If user configures the same catalog database in Electrical Catalog Browser add-in in Autodesk Inventor installation, they can insert the inventor 3D part directly from the catalog browser add-in itself.

So what are you waiting for…?

Visit our content website and install latest Eaton catalog data series!!

 

Wire Number Attributes Get Some Attention in AutoCAD Electrical 2016

A wire number in AutoCAD Electrical is a block, where the WIRENO attribute contains the wire number. For quite a while the wire number blocks have contained other attributes, W01USER through W10USER. But, AutoCAD Electrical didn't really do anything with these attributes. Many of our customers asked that we make it easy to edit these attributes and include them in some key wire related reports. AutoCAD Electrical 2016 does just that.

When you edit a wire number, the dialog now lets you edit these 10 attributes.

The Edit Wire Number dialog behaves a little differently now that it includes these attributes. In previous releases, Fixed was checked by default because the main reason to edit a wire number was to change it to fixed. Now that the dialog has edit boxes for these 10 user attributes, Fixed is not checked by default. However, if you change the wire number value, Fixed is checked automatically.

The W01USER-W10USER attributes have been added as available fields in these reports:

• Wire From\To
• Component Wire List
• Connector Plug
• Terminal Plan
• Cable From\To

Because new fields have been added to these reports you shouldn't use report format files (.set) that you created in previous releases. You will need to create new report format files so the file is in sync with the actual fields available for the report.

Customize the Labels on the Edit Wire Number Dialog

For those of you who like to tweak things, you can customize the labels for the 10 user attributes on the Edit Wire Number dialog. So instead of seeing the generic W##USER label you could see something to indicate what you want to use each attribute for.

This requires making a change on the wire number library symbols.

1. Find your library folder, for example C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2016\Libs\iec-60617.
2. Open the horizontal wire number library symbol, wd_wnh.dwg.
3. Double-click the W##USER attribute you want to add a custom label for.
4. Add the value for the label in the Prompt field.
   
5. Repeat for each attribute.
6. Save the symbol.
7. Repeat for the vertical wire number symbol, wd_wnv.dwg

For new drawings, or drawings that have never had wire numbers, your changes can be seen as soon as you insert and edit a wire number. For drawings with wire numbers already inserted, you will need to run Swap Block using the Update a Block option to swap in this updated wire number block.

By Pat Murnen