SYMBOL BUILDER

[Anonymous]

I've never created a symbol with more than 4 wire connections on either side of the symbol so I've seen this before.

I'm creating a generic horizontal parent with 10 wire connections on the left side and 25 on the right side.

If the insertion point is the top left side, it only allows four wire connections on the left and right side.

If the insertion point is the 10th left wire connection point, it allows all left wire connections and the top 17 on the right side.

Any Ideas?

[TRLitsey]

Hi there,

What version are you using?  Can you post a dwg of the block?

Thank you

[dougmcalexander · Accepted solution]

I'm not sure what you think the problem will be.  I have made custom controller symbols and inverter drives with over 80 wire connections.  If yo are referring to the error message from Symbol Audit, it just wants to be sure that the insertion point falls between two wire connections.  You can place wire connections just about anywhere you wish, just select the correct orientation.  If your symbols has mostly horizontal wire connections, name it with the first letter H.  

I find it easier to use the original Symbol Builder to make large symbols.  I have attached an example of a symbol with 52 wire connections, made with the original symbol builder.  Inserting wire connections is more straightforward with the original symbol builder than with the symbol builder that was introduced in release 2009.  

You can use the original symbol builder by typing WD_SYM_BUILD at the command line and pressing enter.  First, draw the basic shape of the symbol over the wires were it will connect.  This version of symbol builder will not take you away from the drawing.    When you type WD_SYM_BUILD and press enter you will be prompted to select the objects you wish to use to create a symbol from.  You will be able to easily place the wire connection attributes at the exact points where the wires touch the symbol.  You can add rating attributes, and anything else.  You can even hit escape and use AutoCAD move, properties, etc. to make adjustments.  Simply type WD_SYM_BUILD and press enter again.  Select all objects again, graphics and attributes and you can continue where you left off before you escaped.

Click the link below to view a video that shows how to use the original Symbol Builder to make a power supply symbol in 5 minutes or less.

http://screencast.com/t/eBwnuDijEHz7

[Anonymous]

I'm using AutoCAD Electrical 2016.

Is it possible the problem is in symbol builder defaults.

I had to except the problem and move on, But it would be great to figure it out and fix it.

[Anonymous]

Doug - I used the original symbol builder and it allowed all wire connections and it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

It saved the file on my C drive. How do I change default file location?

The other symbol builder I figured out how to change the location.

[dougmcalexander]

There is an entry in the WD.ENV file that controls the default save location. You can also set the default folder to open when you browse for a symbol file from the browse button on the icon menu.

[dougmcalexander]

I teach the original symbol builder in all of my classes. 90% like it best. We also cover the WD.ENV file setup. In advanced training I cover how to edit the ribbon and add the original symbol builder to the ribbon, along with the rebuild database utility and terminal strip renumber utilities. Those commands still exist but are not on the ribbon.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I will keep this in mind and thanks for your help.