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Questions/Problems

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Message 1 of 11
MadMage863
330 Views, 10 Replies

Questions/Problems

Wondering if anyone can answer or address some of the issues I've been having working with Electrical 2008. Here's a few (just refer to the number to answer one to make things easier, please):

1. Is there a way to add wires to a parts list?

2. How do I add a color and guage label to wires that is ON a line (no leaders) and automatically fills in the information?

3. I've been having a problem printing terminal strips (the black out completely) on certain printers. Anyone seen this before?

4. When placing objects on a din rail, the din rail is kept intact but hidden behind the objects placed on it - how is this done and/or is there a way for my custom parts to emulate this effect?

5. I imagine I'll need ot write a LISP for this, but is there a way to change a single attribute over a large number of similar/identical parts without having to open them all one at a time? Example: I'd like to redo the tags for my terminal strips. There's a lot and the only way I know to do it is manually opening each one.

6. Is there a symbol or marker for a wire that isn't terminated? I often have wires that are left 'spare', and it's making the program... angry.

7. Is there a tool for adding 'note' baloons that refer to a notes list (ie, have a different symbol and number than the normal baloons)?

I'll probably come up with more as I think of them. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
10 REPLIES 10
Message 2 of 11
sgsawdy
in reply to: MadMage863

4. I have found that objects placed on top of a din rail or other stacked devices like relays, incorporate a raster image. My terminals, fuse blocks and other devices were modified using the draw/wipeout command to add a square or rectangle raster image that was then sent to the back of the block. Then when it is inserted and the din rail is sent to the back, the din rail is hidden by the wipeout raster image in the fuse block.

5. Yes you will have to write a lisp routine or a VBA macro. I have done both and it has saved way more time than it took to write the routines.

Scott
Message 3 of 11
MadMage863
in reply to: MadMage863

4. I'm not familiar with this practice, but it would explain why it's printing straight black on one of my printers. I'll have to give it a try. Thank you.

5. What I'm really concerned with here (and the reason I've held off on modifying my copy attribute program to have a 'sorting' function) is if I change an attribute outside of the Electrical's own commands might I possibly throw off some information, as most of the data updates itself at the end of most of those routines? Or, do I need to add a callback into my command that makes use of the same 'update' mechanic?

I have to say the one thing that aggravates me most about the Electrical package is that while it is a very powerful set of LISP commands, that is all it really seems to be - there is no added functionality beyond the basic AutoCAD package, only tools to make use of the existing attribute functionality. The effect is functional, but seems rather... crude.

Oh, another question.

8. Does anyone know how to get into the LISP routines that make up the Electrical package? I'd like to try and make some mild tweaks and add a bit more solidity to some of the functions (I consider commands that close out with a missed click or a myriad of other reasons without explanation to be 'unstable').
Message 4 of 11
sgsawdy
in reply to: MadMage863

You would need to get familiarized with the API's for both AutoCAD and ACADE to get the callbacks you speak of. That is one of the draw backs to my routines and I do not know enough about the API's to add them to my programs to get that extra functionality.

Good luck.

Scott
Message 5 of 11
rhesusminus
in reply to: MadMage863

3. This is a know problem with some printer drivers. Try updating the
printer driver. Check
http://discussion.autodesk.com/search.jspa?q=wipeout%20black&objID=f30&numResults=25&rankBy=9&source=viewforum%7C30
for more info.

5. The properties palette actally shows all the attributes that the selected
blocks has in common. Just scroll down to see them.

6. Try putting those lines on a "non-wire-layer" You'll see them in the
drawing, but AutoCAD Electrical won't try to work with them.

7. Can't you use the normal AutoCAD Dim-Leader? No circle around the text,
but...

THL

Trond Hasse Lie
AutoCAD Electrical and EPLAN expert
Ctrl Alt El
Please select "Accept Solution" if this post answers your question. 'Likes' won't hurt either. 😉
Message 6 of 11
Anonymous
in reply to: MadMage863

wrote in message news:5949673@discussion.autodesk.com...
Wondering if anyone can answer or address some of the issues I've been
having working with Electrical 2008. Here's a few (just refer to the number
to answer one to make things easier, please):

5. I imagine I'll need ot write a LISP for this, but is there a way to
change a single attribute over a large number of similar/identical parts
without having to open them all one at a time? Example: I'd like to redo the
tags for my terminal strips. There's a lot and the only way I know to do it
is manually opening each one.

Get the name of the block from the properties page. Open the block and make
the changes. Save as a different name (But keep the first 5 characters).
Then use 'Swap/Update Block' (in the Insert Component drop down) to swap the
old block for the new block (can do it for all dwgs in the project or just
the active dwg).

6. Is there a symbol or marker for a wire that isn't terminated? I often
have wires that are left 'spare', and it's making the program... angry.

I made a block that is just a point with a cable connection on it. I use
that for the ends of wires that are left floating on drawings. stops the
unterminated wire errors. You can even have a terminal description on it
(Useful to designate comms between control panels an such)

Regards Brad
Message 7 of 11
MadMage863
in reply to: MadMage863

5. Looking for a cleaner way to do it without possibly making some of the self updating data mess up on me.

7. I had thought of that, but was holding out hope that I'd simply missed the Electrical option for this. As it is, the only problem with that is it *has* to have an octagon around the number.

Thanks,
-MRohan
Message 8 of 11
Anonymous
in reply to: MadMage863

It looks like you've had a number of answers to some of these. I'll add in
some ideas.

1. If you add a cable marker to a wire it can get a catalog assignment. Not
sure if this is what you are looking for.
2. I don't believe there is a way to do this except to use the Wire
Color/Gauge Manual/No Leader one at a time. I will log this as a request. It
would be good to be able to have this as a setup option.
4. Look for info about how to use the AutoCAD Wipeout feature
5. You could use the Find/Replace Terminal Text or the Export to
Spreadsheet, edit spreadsheet values, Import from Spreadsheet.
6. Can you describe what you mean by angry? It may just be flagging a
potential issue so you can check it but it shouldn't hurt anything..

Pat Murnen

wrote in message news:5949673@discussion.autodesk.com...
Wondering if anyone can answer or address some of the issues I've been
having working with Electrical 2008. Here's a few (just refer to the number
to answer one to make things easier, please):

1. Is there a way to add wires to a parts list?

2. How do I add a color and guage label to wires that is ON a line (no
leaders) and automatically fills in the information?

3. I've been having a problem printing terminal strips (the black out
completely) on certain printers. Anyone seen this before?

4. When placing objects on a din rail, the din rail is kept intact but
hidden behind the objects placed on it - how is this done and/or is there a
way for my custom parts to emulate this effect?

5. I imagine I'll need ot write a LISP for this, but is there a way to
change a single attribute over a large number of similar/identical parts
without having to open them all one at a time? Example: I'd like to redo the
tags for my terminal strips. There's a lot and the only way I know to do it
is manually opening each one.

6. Is there a symbol or marker for a wire that isn't terminated? I often
have wires that are left 'spare', and it's making the program... angry.

7. Is there a tool for adding 'note' baloons that refer to a notes list (ie,
have a different symbol and number than the normal baloons)?

I'll probably come up with more as I think of them. Any help would be
appreciated. Thanks.
Message 9 of 11
MadMage863
in reply to: MadMage863

1. Not exactly. We use specific wires for certain things, often making the cables ourselves from individual wire spools, and I need to be able to call this out in my parts list.

2. Even that isn't exactly what I'm looking for and the text size is too big. I'd like the marker 'in-line' to the wire.

6. Pretty much just the flagging it as a problem is the only real issue I can see with leaving a wire hanging. I wasn't sure if it would cause additional problems I can't see, though it would be nice if I could get some kind of a marker on it that would tell the from/to list that the end of the wire is a 'spare'.

Oh, that reminds me. One more:

9. Is there a way to change the layers/sizes/styles that pretty much everything (excepting wires) comes in on to keep the IMMENSE level of 'layer clutter' down on a drawing? Seriously, I like to use all of four layers: Notes, Objects, Borders and Viewports. And I was tought to NEVER draw on the 0 layer... *eye twitches* Message was edited by: MadMage863
Message 10 of 11

wrote in message news:5950758@discussion.autodesk.com...
1. Not exactly. We use specific wires for certain things, often making the
cables ourselves from individual wire spools, and I need to be able to call
this out in my parts list.

Just add the wire types to the catalog and somewhere in each project add a
generic marker from the panel layout toolbar manual footprint insertion.
You can input a qty there and it will appear on the BOM. I use generic
markers to call our screws, bolts, washers, wireway cap, etc.

2. Even that isn't exactly what I'm looking for and the text size is too
big. I'd like the marker 'in-line' to the wire.

You can change the text size by typing dimstyle at the command prompt.
The wire color/gauge labels actually use the ACAD dim text. After you
change the dimstyle font/size you will need to re-insert any labels that are
already on the drawing. They will become the new font/size.

6. Pretty much just the flagging it as a problem is the only real issue I
can see with leaving a wire hanging. I wasn't sure if it would cause
additional problems I can't see, though it would be nice if I could get some
kind of a marker on it that would tell the from/to list that the end of the
wire is a 'spare'.

The Audit flagging is only to draw attention to possible issues.
Fortunately for now AcadE hasn't replaced our job. We are still the
designer. One day we may be replaced by a marketing person using a
spreadsheet. But for now we are still the designer/engineer. AcadE will
only alert you to possible irregularites. You can surf the list and
determine whether it is acceptable. I always have a few wire ends left
dangling because as each phase comes to its end of usefulness I leave it
dangling with no source arrow to pass it to the next drawing, thus
indicating to the person reading the schematic that he/she will see no more
use of this phase on later drawings.

Oh, that reminds me. One more:

9. Is there a way to change the layers/sizes/styles that pretty much
everything (excepting wires) comes in on to keep the IMMENSE level of 'layer
clutter' down on a drawing? Seriously, I like to use all of four layers:
Notes, Objects, Borders and Viewports. And I was tought to NEVER draw on the
0 layer... *eye twitches*

AcadE is driven by attributes and layers. That's at the heart of what makes
it so much easier to learn when coming from regular ACAD. You can
manipulate the layers to an extent, but exercise care with regard to the
layers in the reserved layer list at the lower right of the drawing
properties drawing format tab; the button is labeled Define.

Message was edited by: MadMage863


Doug McAlexander


Design Engineer/Consultant/Instructor/Mentor specializing in AutoCAD Electrical training and implementation support

Phone and Web-based Support Plans Available

Phone: (770) 841-8009

www.linkedin.com/in/doug-mcalexander-1a77623




Please Accept as Solution if I helped you. Likes are also much appreciated.
Message 11 of 11
Anonymous
in reply to: MadMage863

9) Try doing a purge (under Drawing Utilities in the File drop down) once
your drawing is finished. This gets rid of deleted blocks, unused layers,
and other bits and pieces.
this can cut the size of a drawing by a fair bit.

Regards Brad


wrote in message news:5950758@discussion.autodesk.com...
1. Not exactly. We use specific wires for certain things, often making the
cables ourselves from individual wire spools, and I need to be able to call
this out in my parts list.

2. Even that isn't exactly what I'm looking for and the text size is too
big. I'd like the marker 'in-line' to the wire.

6. Pretty much just the flagging it as a problem is the only real issue I
can see with leaving a wire hanging. I wasn't sure if it would cause
additional problems I can't see, though it would be nice if I could get some
kind of a marker on it that would tell the from/to list that the end of the
wire is a 'spare'.

Oh, that reminds me. One more:

9. Is there a way to change the layers/sizes/styles that pretty much
everything (excepting wires) comes in on to keep the IMMENSE level of 'layer
clutter' down on a drawing? Seriously, I like to use all of four layers:
Notes, Objects, Borders and Viewports. And I was tought to NEVER draw on the
0 layer... *eye twitches*

Message was edited by: MadMage863

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