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What controls the layout of a parent external reference?

5 REPLIES 5
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Message 1 of 6
CAD-ICE
364 Views, 5 Replies

What controls the layout of a parent external reference?

Hi there,

could somebody give me an insight of what controls the layout of external references for parent symbols.

Is it possible to change the size and font type and maybe the order of information ?

Please refer to the attached image showing on the same symbol in two different variations. The lower symbol is the standard symbol where the XREF is shown horizontal. The symbol above is a version that I created where I moved and rotated the XREF attribute. Any information on how to modify the layout etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Gary

5 REPLIES 5
Message 2 of 6
zalant
in reply to: CAD-ICE

The xref attribute is just that, an attribute.  As such, it is defined in the source block (drawing file) that gets inserted with your chosen component.  If you can identify which block (DWG) is used for the specific component, you can go into it and edit the attribute's characteristics.  

 

For example, let's say I wanted to insert a vertical disconnect switch and it calls for the block file VDS11.dwg from my JIC125 directory.  I just went in and rotated the Xref attribute 45 degrees in that drawing file.  Now, any time I insert that particular component, the altered attribute will appear however I've modified it.  Here is a screen capture of that:

 

rotated xref attribute.jpg

 

When you say that you created a version where you moved and rotated the xref attribute, do you mean that you did what I described above (modified the original source block drawing file), or that you modified the attribute once the block had been inserted into the drawing (because you can always do that, too, but that doesn't sound like what you're after)?



Zac Travis
Message 3 of 6
CAD-ICE
in reply to: zalant

Hi Zac and thank´s for looking into this thread.

You are correct I did just what you are saying but what I was after was how I can control the size and the graphical representation of the external reference.

thx, Gary

Message 4 of 6
Icemanau
in reply to: CAD-ICE

There are only two versions of graphics for the ACADE cross referencing. Both are selected in the DWG or Project settings on the Cross Reference tab.

 

ACADE actually uses a special font to create the different graphics, so if you want to modify them you will need to track down the correct file to edit. You will then have to compile the new font from that file.

 

The font size however is set within the blocks, in otherwords, the attribute size. It is possible to edit the block to change the generic size of the attribute, but the terminal numbers (and graphics) are a percentage of the attribute size.

 

Regards Brad



Icemanau (NNTP handle: Brad Coleman
AutoCAD Electrical User and IT Hardware Support

Message 5 of 6
CAD-ICE
in reply to: Icemanau

Hello Brad and thank´s for your comment.

What do you mean by tracking down the correct file to edit and then compile the new font from that file?

Can you give me a hint....are we speaking of many files or just one and how do I edit the file?

Thank´s again for your support.

Regards, Gary

Message 6 of 6
Icemanau
in reply to: CAD-ICE

If you double click on that parent's x'ref graphical listing, it will start to edit the listing as a MTEXT.

 

This will allow you to move through the text and see what fonts are used and where.

 

The graphical symbols used are a special font supplied with ACADE (I believe the font is called ACADEREF). The rest of the text is the standard WD font as set in the formatting.

 

To get the font, you need to compile it from a shp file which ACAD does NOT supply with ACADE.

 

To modify or add new symbols will also require a program able to open and edit shp font files. There are a few free versions available on the net, you just have to search for them.

 

I've been trying to find the file myself as I want to add Digital Inputs to the symbols as well as a couple of other symbols for VT/CT inputs and other specialised I/O functions. I've had no luck so far.

 

Regards Brad



Icemanau (NNTP handle: Brad Coleman
AutoCAD Electrical User and IT Hardware Support

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