topic Re: Creating a Custom Library in AutoCAD Electrical Forum

Creating a Custom Library

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 21:00:50 GMT

I would like to set up a custom library to use in place of the provided AutoCAD libraries. I have a number of blocks made from symbol builder, but I'm not sure how to go about setting up a default library using these blocks. Currently, I am forced to select one of the prexisting libraries (IEEE, JIC, etc), and have no option to set a custom path as my default.

What all is involved on implementing this?

Thanks

Re: Creating a Custom Library

TRLitsey — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 22:24:07 GMT

Hi there,

To save yourself a little work, how about just building on what you have. Add a sub-menu icon to the standard menu that will open a new sub-menu where you can add your custom symbols/blocks and even add more sub-menus if you wish. You can create a link back to the standard menu or, if the left pane is open like mine you can click on any menu in the list.

Good luck

Re: Creating a Custom Library

Icemanau — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 00:04:41 GMT

There are several steps involved in doing this.

1. Find the location of your current library directories.

2. Create a new directory and name it what you want your new library to be called.

3. Move all your custom blocks into this directory.

4. Open the project you use as the basis for all other projects.

5. Go to the Project Properties and make sure the Project Settings tab is selected.

6. Select and expand the Schematic Libraries folder.

7. Click the ADD button, then the browse button. Browse to the new library you just created.

8. Once the Library is selected, move it to the top of the list. ACADE will search the libraries in the order they are listed.

9. Click OK to save the changes then close the project.

This is the basic set up for a library.

You can now follow TRLitsey's advice on adding a Icon Sub Menu to call all of your custom blocks.

Now for some advice

IF you want to change an ACADE supplied block, copy it to your custom library and change the copy there. This leaves the original block to go back to if needed.

Make sure to follow the ACADE naming convention for your custom blocks, otherwise you will get problems down the track.

Don't forget to make two versions of each block. The Horizontal version and the Vertical version.

Regards Brad