Question regarding "Blocks" Libraries.

[jklem35E2E]

I was wondering if it is possible for me to share blocks I have created with the rest of my team over our network. I see here in the libraries field it's almost as if I could map it to a .dwg on our network that contains all of the blocks I would like to share. Does anyone have any experience in this and if so could you advise me on how to set that up? When I look at the block library it says file is not found but doesn't give me an option to map it. I am pretty green to AutoCad Electrical, if this is not possible please let me know. 

[rhesusminus · Accepted solution]

It is the project file in AcadE that point to the folder(s) that contain the symbols/blocks you use.

This means you're free to put your symbols wherever you like, even at a common shared folder, as long as your projects are set up to look into this/these folder(s).

You really shouldn't use any of the standard functionality like the insert palette to Insert symbols for AcadE. It just won't work.

[arshdeepsingh404]

Hi @jklem35E2E 

You can store you Electrical symbols on a shared folder or a network drive like OneDrive. Symbols can be added to Icon menu or Catalog Database from shared folders. I am assuming that you have already setup a shared catalog for the rest of your team.

There are other sharing option available in regular AutoCAD such as the Tool Palettes. I find it a little easier to drag and drop symbols to/from Tool Palette. I have only shared regular and dynamic blocks with that, I haven't tried sharing Electrical Symbols as we usually link those to Catalog Browser 2D SYMBOL field.

You should add a drawing to a shared folder on the network. Add all the blocks you want to share to that drawing.
Launch Tool Palette (CTRL+3). Create a new Palette if you would like. Copy and Paste Blocks from your drawing to the Tool Palette and now they are available to just drag and drop to the drawings.

Now you would have to move the palette to shared location as well. Just copy and paste the palette files to a shared folder.

You can modify the default location to look for Tool Palette under OP (Options) and Tool Palettes File Locations.

Now whoever needs to use this palette can also add/change the tool palette paths to the shared palette. If anyone adds a block to the palette, it becomes available for everyone else as well to just drag and drop to their drawings.

Tool Palettes: Exploring the Features and Benefits of AutoCAD

https://www.autodesk.com/blogs/autocad/autocad-tool-palettes-exploring-features-benefits-autocad/

Another method is to use the Design Center, You would store a drawing with all the blocks you want to share on a network location. Open Design Center (CTRL+2) on any computer and browse to the drawing location.

You would be able to extract all sorts of different information from that drawing including blocks.

Easily Access Drawing Content: How to Use DesignCenter in AutoCAD

https://www.autodesk.com/blogs/autocad/easily-access-drawing-content-how-to-use-designcenter-in-auto...

[rhesusminus]

Just be aware that is you insert a component using a tool palette or design center, basic functionality like breaking wires etc. when inserting won't work. Also, the symbols won't be recognized by AcadE until you rebuild your project database.

[jklem35E2E]

Thank you for the advice, I only have a little over a year of AcadE experience. I am constantly searching the forum for help as I am trying to better my understanding of the software to be a more efficient employee at my company.

[rhesusminus]

Ahhh.. the good old "here's a software package that can help you be effective. Learn it by yourself" approach? 😂