TERMINAL STRIP EDITOR BLOCK ASSIGNMENT

[cknicker]

I am currently using AutoCAD Electrical 2009.  I cannot find the location where terminal block catalog assignments are associated with a DWG block to use upon the terminal strip in the panel layout.  I have several which use the block WD_DEFAULT_ACCESSORY and I need to change it to the correct one.  Does anyone have some insight into this?  Thanks.

[jared.bunch]

Hello cknicker

The block that you mention is what gets used for accessories when the following scenarios occur:

1. There is no catalog assignment
2. There is no footprint mapped to the catalog number that was assigned
3. The footprint mapped to the catalog number assigned cannot be located

If you wish to have a specific footprint used to represent the accessory part number selected, you'll want to use the Footprint Database File Editor tool to create the mapping between the catalog number(s) and the footprint you want to be used to represent them.

Hopefully this information is useful!

[cknicker]

How does one find the Footprint Database File Editor? I have looked through the menu and the help information and have not seen it.

[Icemanau]

Do a file search for footprint_lookup.mdb.

It should be located in the same directory as your Default_cat.mdb.

Use Microsoft Access to edit the file.

Take note that ACADE uses the "#" to denote a wild character. This means that if you have 3 terminals that use the same block but are different colours, you can hopefully set up the entry only once.

For example, three terminals with different colours might have catalog numbers 1234-6, 1234-7, 1234-8.

You would set the lookup entry to read 1234-#.

The assembly code is usually blank. The fun part is with the BLKNAM column. Sometimes you have to show the ENTIRE path to the block you wish to use and other times you can get away with just the path under Panel....

The description column allows you to place a short description and the RECNUM column has to do with Microsoft Access and gets filled in automatically.

Regards Brad

[cknicker]

Is there a way to update this without Microsoft Access?

[Icemanau]

I don't know about the latest releases, but in 2008 there is a tool to do that.

For me it's under the Panel Layout drop down menu for me but may be elsewhere for you.

Look for the Database File Editor flyout menu and pick the one for footprints.

Regards Brad

[cknicker]

Thanks to everyone for the help.

[dougmcalexander]

It's on the Panel menu tab under a flyout under Other Tools.

[jared.bunch]

Hello cknicker

It looks like others have provided you good information on the tools and where to located it in the ribbon.  Here is a link to some more information from AutoCAD Electricals' online help on the feature if you need it.

Footprint Lookup Database File Editor

Good luck and hope you find this information useful!