AutoCAD Electrical

[#1]

Previous help to crerate a BoM was helpful and got me going and it is working.

I now find that there is problem that could be my lack of knowledge or I am trying to do something that ACE will not do.

So here is my question:

I have created a default_cat.mdb by using a supplied library.    I edited this library as per the previous BOM help.   This has resulted in a default .mdb that is working.

I then make a project specific .MDB and add the componants that are required for that specific project.   This is also working.

If I find a mistake in the <project>.mdb I would like to be able to edit the default.mdb and then have the update to  the <project>.mdb to happen automatically.

Is this possible?  If so how can I achieve this?

Thanks in advance    Cheers  johnq

[#2]

SInce I submitted the above enquirie I have worked out how to do what I wanted and it can be done.

If the answer is in the help files then I could not find out how. 

Just for interest a few things I have discovered:  always up date the default_cat.mdb   Always do a save before moving from one drawing to another

Update the <project>_cat.mdb  

I had a problem with my computer and I lost access to the default file,  this happened at a time when I did not appreciate the relationship between the default_cat.mdb  file and the  <project>_cat.mdb

cheers  john q

[#3]

There is no concurrent link between the default_cat.mdb file and any project_specific catalog you ay choose to create.  When you choose to create a project-specific catalog database Electrical simply interrogates the drawings via the project scratch database and creates a custom catalog database for the project by copying the necessary records from the default_cat.mdb file.  It is a one-way process.  The best way to propagate a change from the main catalog database is to delete the project-specific catalog database and run the new utility that was introduced with version 2012 that updates components from the catalog database.  There is a detailed explanation in the next paragraph.  After you update your components just create a new project-specific catalog database.

Version 2012 introduced a utility that can update component symbols with new data from the catalog database.  Changes made to the catalog fields for a particular part number can be automatically reflected in the project drawings via a new command on the Project tab.  I have included a screen capture from the version 2012 What's New list.  Even the TEXT VALUE fields can update.  So if I have a TEXT VALUE entry of DESC1=POWER SUPPLY and a later change it in the catalog to DESC1=DC POWER SUPPLY, after I run the Component Update from Catalog utility all symbols with the power supply part number will receive an update to their Description 1 field (DESC1 attribute).

[#4]

Thanks Doug