AutoCAD MEP

[#1]

Hello,

I would like to make a electrical device with both a 2D-symbol in plan-view and a 3D-symbol in 3D.

The problem is that sometimes I would like to move the 2D-symbol in plan-view, but having the 3D-symbol remain in the model.

I have tried using "annotation block" but it´s not working all the way. When I use this block-function, the position changes when I change something in the device-style.   

Could anybody help me, please!

[#2]

What you are trying to do isn't really a designed feature... the 'annotation block' referrs to a 'secondary' block, for example, the 3 in a 3-way switch symbol.... whereas, if I understand correctly, you are trying to provide offsets to the 'primary' block.

You can achieve this by hacking it around a bit if you want to move the 'main' symbol, but it is a little quirky... i.e., if you need to 'reset' the position of the block, there isn't a clear way in the UI... (but, if memory serves, is possible in the API) and you have to do something a little squirrly by defining the block with an offset in the block definition (i.e., move everything -10,-10, and define the View block's offset as 10,10 in the device style).  However, as you have found, some edits to the style cause the location of the instances to reset.

Refer to the attached drawing...  I think it does what you are after.. but has the side effects as described above.

[#3]

In the piping panel we have a command _objectgraphicsedit.

It basically allows you to edit the 2-D plan representation of a pipe object without changing the look or position of the 3d object.  This is useful for when we have stacked lines. We want them to stay stacked in the model, but want to show them slightly offset for clarity on the plan view.

The way it works on the piping end, is that the graphics stay as you have them set. But if you move the actual 3D object everything resets to the standard representation. You would then have to go back and re-edit the 2-D plan view graphics. So it's best not to do this until you are pretty sure the objects are not going to move again.

I played around on the electrical end (not my field). It looks like the command works and allows you to modify the individual objects 2-D graphics. But it doesn't snap back to the standard graphic when you move the 3-D object.  There might be a command to do that?  But it does look Like you can change the style in the properties panel then back to the orignal style and it will snap back to the standard grpahic.

Anyhow, it might be a starting point for you..