Use the Migration Utility.
Doug McAlexander
Design Engineer/Consultant/Instructor/Mentor
Specializing in AutoCAD Electrical Implementation Support
Phone: (770) 841-8009
www.linkedin.com/in/doug-mcalexander-1a77623
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When you create a new project you can set a project to Copy Settings From in the bottom field of the New Project dialog.
Doug McAlexander
Design Engineer/Consultant/Instructor/Mentor
Specializing in AutoCAD Electrical Implementation Support
Phone: (770) 841-8009
www.linkedin.com/in/doug-mcalexander-1a77623
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Accepted solution
The Migration Utility is located on the Project menu tab of the ribbon (see attached screen capture). I have been using it since 1997 to migrate every release. It was called Merge in the older versions, prior to Autodesk acquiring the software. It only merged database content back then. Autodesk expanded its capabilities, so it now migrates databases, menus, symbols, and much more. Because I teach the software, and thus must upgrade with each new release, the Migration Utility is one of my favorite tools.
When you start the utility, you will need to select which version and which content you wish to migrate. Follow the instructions in Electrical Help. I have attached a screen capture showing the selections for migrating the catalog lookup database.
Note: I strongly suggest making backups of the new versions of the files you will migrate to, in case you are not happy with the results.
Doug McAlexander
Design Engineer/Consultant/Instructor/Mentor
Specializing in AutoCAD Electrical Implementation Support
Phone: (770) 841-8009
www.linkedin.com/in/doug-mcalexander-1a77623
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Accepted solution
The wd.env file (wiring diagram environment), located in the AeData folder, contains entries for setting the default symbol library and menu paths (see attached images). After these are set, you right-click on a project and select Properties. Select the Symbol Libraries category and click the button labeled Default in the Project Properties dialog. This sets all schematic symbol library paths at once for this project. Repeat for the schematic menu, the panel footprint library path, and the panel menu.
One of the advantages of AutoCAD Electrical over its competitors is the fact that each project can point to a different symbol library and menu. This is helpful when you are in my situation and design to multiple standards. I can have a project set to JIC symbols and menus, another set for NFPA, and another set for IEC. When I activate a project the symbol and menu path is automatically selected, so I can continue working on that project as before. With the competitor's programs that I have used, the symbol and menu path are set globally, so if I switch from an NFPA project to an IEC project, I have to change the symbol and menu path each and every time.
There is no global find and replace to change the paths for each project. You must select each project and use the default button. This is one of the reasons my customers hire me to assist with setting up the software at their office. We call this startup support. It usually takes 3 days to get it all done. We concentrate on their drawing template, network infrastructure, environment settings, custom menus, symbols, report formats, and more, so everything is properly set before they get too far down the road with design projects that were not created in the most optimal environment.
Hint: It is possible, but not advised, to copy and paste library and menu paths from one project.wdp (project definition) file to another. You run the risk of corrupting the project definition file by misplacing data or deleting data, including spaces, which can be important, so if you choose this method proceed with caution and make backups.
Doug McAlexander
Design Engineer/Consultant/Instructor/Mentor
Specializing in AutoCAD Electrical Implementation Support
Phone: (770) 841-8009
www.linkedin.com/in/doug-mcalexander-1a77623
Did you find this post helpful? Feel free to Like this post.
Did your question get successfully answered? Then click on the ACCEPT SOLUTION button.
