topic Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder in AutoCAD Electrical Forum

Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 19:08:49 GMT

Is there a way that I can add the catalog description as an attribute to symbol builder? I would like to be able to place a symbol down on a drawing and have the component description as it shows up the in 'description' column of the default_cat database to appear once I've assigned a part number. I've tried adding in a new attribute called 'description' while creating the symbol in the builder, but it does not link back to the catalog and pull the data that I need. I know I can always add the description in to the Desc. 1-3' attributes but that seems like a lot of manual work and I'd rather have it come in automatically. Please advise!!

Thanks!!

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

KOBI1912 — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:41:45 GMT

IN THE CATALOGUE GO TO EDIT MODE IN COLUMN OF "TEXTVALUE" SET TEH VALUE OF THE REQUEST ATTRIBUTE AS FOLLOW: RATING1=0.40-0.63; NOTE: RATING1 IS ATTRIBUTE NAME, YOU CAN ALSO SET DESC01=MY TEXT;

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 13:32:54 GMT

Yes I know of the 'TEXTVALUE' column in the catalog database, but I want to be able to use the 'DESCRIPTION' column already populated with my part descriptions. I should be able to place any field from the parts database down as a attribute at the symbol level, but it appears to be not that easy.

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

dougmcalexander — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 03:46:27 GMT

The description field in the catalog database is intended as a description of the type of device. This data appears on the bill of materials. The description attributes (DESC1, DESC2, DESC3) in a symbol block are intended for function text, to describe the function of the device in your circuit (i.e. E-STOP, MOTOR START, MOTOR STOP, etc.). Like the earlier post pointed out, the TEXTVALUE field can be used to fill in the description attributes with function text, in case you have a scenario where the curcuit function is always the same.

I have even used the TEXTVALUE field to fill in TERM01, TERM02, etc. attributes. You must know that if you use it to fill in the TERMxx attributes, you won't see the values until you click the final OK out of the Insert/Edit dialog.

The fact is, there are multiple ways to fill in attributes. For function text, you can click the Defaults button and choose from a list that you can add to or edit. You can opt to select from the language database as well. Yo can Pick attribute text from other components on the drawing or copy from other components in the project. And of course you have the TEXTVALUE field option. As for filling in pins, you can preload them into the block, type them in, add an entry into the Pin List fields, or use the TEXTVALUE field option that I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

rbh2024 — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 20:13:03 GMT

Can you give more explanation on this? Where do I go to make these changes?

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

dougmcalexander — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 20:36:29 GMT

Be sure that the DESC1, DESC2, and, optionally, DESC3, attributes exist in the symbol block. Most of the included symbols will have at least two description attributes. If you make a symbol, be sure to include the attributes.

You can preload the description attribute(s) with a value that will appear every time it is inserted into a drawing. If the description can vary according to part number, use the TEXTVALUE field in the catalog database record for that particular part number to automatically push ASCII characters into the attribute value. For example, for a Master Reset button, enter into the TEXTVALUE field of the part number record DESC1=MASTER;DESC2=RESET. You can push text into any attribute using this method. Look up a fuse part number and switch to edit mode. Scroll over and note the TEXTVALUE field. You will see something like, RATING1=5A.

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

rbh2024 — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 21:07:03 GMT

Wow, Thank you so much this is perfect. I appreciate it. You Rock!!!

Re: Adding Catalog Description to Symbol Builder

dougmcalexander — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 22:32:18 GMT

You’re very welcome!