AutoCAD Electrical

[#1]

hi

I was using AcadE2010. I saved the entire " AutoCAD Electrical 2010" folder from my C: drive  onto a external hard disk.

Then I formated the computer. Reason of saving the  entire AcadE filder is I created hundreds of footprint and schematic symbols and they are part of the "Library".

After formatting the desktop we purchased the ACADElectric2012 and I installed that. So now I need to bring my "OLD" library from 2010 folder to 2012 folder, DONT KNOW HOW?

I know there is a utolity called "migration Utility" but I think I can only use if my Acad2010 was installed in the computer so I could merge.

I only have 2012 installed and on my external hard disk the entire AcadE2010 folder sitting.

How do I take that and merge with 2012 library.

PS: I have been using AcadE since 2008 and since then THEY HAVE NOT ADDED A SINGLE FOOTPRINT OR SCHEMATIC SYMBOL to the library. What is the point of releasing the new version of AcadElectric if you are not going to add the new PLCs new relays or etc. I just wanted to add that.

[#2]

The Migration Utility allows you to point to the path of the old data.  Just select the file you want to merge from and the file you want to merge into.  I do this with every upgrade to bring my custom symbols and data forward to the new version.

The folks at Autodesk just supply the content as it is delivered to them by the manufacturer's.  You may notice that the accuracy and detail varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, because this content is included in the software on an "as-is" basis.  They gave us tools to tweak what is supplied so it fits our preference, tools like Symbol Builder, Footprint Database File Editor, PLC Database Editor.  These are things we can do so the developers can concentrate on writing code.  When I started out there were only a few sample footprints and maybe 5 manufacturers represented in the software.  We just added our preferences to it.  Besides, someone at Autodesk would only be taking a guess as to how we would want the data entered or how we would want a symbol to look.  The program offers the infrastructure to build it up the way you want.

In using some of the competitors I have discovered that Autodesk includes much more content on the whole, than many of their competitors do.  I would rather the code writers stay focused on enhancing the software and bug fixes rather than drawing symbols or adding part numbers, which I can do more to my liking.

[#3]

I agree that they should be focusing more to programing side.

But when you purchase a upgrade every year and pay few thousand dollars you will expect them to expend their libraries as well.

I even contacted Allen-Bradley, the department first provided cad drwaings to Autodesk while back and those people/department is not existied anymore, no one knows who provided those drwaings to Autodesk.

Then contacted Autodesk several times and it seems like they dont have people dointg that kind of work either. They did it one at the beginning and that was it.

Thank you for your help I will follow the instruction to migrate the files.

[#4]

I think Nate got the original AB stuff via AbeCAD. Again, the supplied content is just a starting point that we add to according to our needs. The new releases are not for the purpose of adding part numbers or footprints. They are enhancements, like Terminal Strip Editor, Circuit Builder, the Icon Menu Wizard, Title Block Setup wizard, Electrical Audit, the Migration Utility, etc., plus improvements to existing features.

[#5]

hey sorry just one more question.

I started "migration utility"

I need to merge everything, so there in no option for everything. I think I must use check mark for each file on the left and chose source/destination.

so what are the one that I have to do?

all I need is my added footprints,schematic symbols and the corresponding .mdb files.

thank you.

[#6]

You can migrate anytime so you can pick a few now and come back later for more. What you migrate depends on what you may have added to or modified. Popular choices are the PLC Database, Footprint Database, Catalog Database. You will need to select each and set the path to your external drive since you no longer have the previous version installed. If you leave the previous version installed the Migration Utility will find the paths.

You should sign up for subscription so you don't have to pay $$$thousands for an upgrade. I think it's around $1000-ish and you get the new release before anyone. You also get a special feedback portal to report bugs or enhancement requests. I go through Applied Software in Atlanta.

[#7]

hey sorry just one more question.

I started "migration utility"

I need to merge everything, so there in no option for everything. I think I must use check mark for each file on the left and chose source/destination.

so what are the one that I have to do?

all I need is my added footprints,schematic symbols and the corresponding .mdb files.

I choose the files from external hard disk, for "catalog lookup"

it said "the source file type is not valid.

[#8]

The files must match.  If merging the catalog database be sure that the source is default_cat.mdb from the previous version and the destination is the default_cat.mdb file of the newest version.