inserting symbols into P&ID without using tool palettes

[Anonymous]

Is there any way to insert content into P&ID without using tool palettes? We are finding that we can't offer new symbols to our designers until we have updated and distributed new tool palettes. The symbols are already in the project, surely there is another way to insert them if the tool palette is not up to date?

[Attila.Vallyon]

Well,

the projSymbolStyle.dwg file holds all P&ID symbols, you can open with the design center (CTRL+2) and insert the symbol blocks from it.

[dave.wolfe]

You can set up network tool palettes, you can separate your Plant and P&ID profiles, and turn off PLANTDYNAMICTOOLPALETTE to make sure your network doesn't get killed with that.  You can also set the tool palette folder read-only on the network which should help the PLANTDYNAMICTOOLPALETTE issue if it must be used.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dave, we are in the process of setting that up. I was just hoping that there was another way to insert symbols - I guess I'm used to being able to do anything in 10 different ways in Autocad.

[Anonymous]

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@attila_vallyon wrote:

Well,

the projSymbolStyle.dwg file holds all P&ID symbols, you can open with the design center (CTRL+2) and insert the symbol blocks from it.

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Thanks Attila, but this only brings in the block, not the symbol - is that right?

Same goes for slines etc...tool palettes seem to be the only way to go.

[Attila.Vallyon · Accepted solution]

Yes, that is correct. The proper way is to use the tool palette.

[dave.wolfe · Accepted solution]

Yes, unfortunately the api isn't available for adding items to drawings. I wanted to do a plugin that displays the symbols for the current project, but we'll have to wait until the api gets there.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies - at least I know we're on the correct (albeit a little frustrating) path.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but if you pull block in using DC, will all the properties that were programmed into the actual symbol work, such as tagging, etc.? I don't believe it will. Something to test.