wd.env WD_LIB,%WD_DIR% with %SL_DIR%

[nathan.averett]

I am trying to set the WD_LIB paths for use with a custom library. I the wd.env file the lines to set WD_LIB and WD_PNL do not work when I use the %WD_DIR% alias for my custom library. The default line works:

WD_LIB,%SL_DIR%/jic125;%SL_DIR%/jic125/1-;%SL_DIR%/pneu_iso125;%SL_DIR%/pid;%SL_DIR%/hyd_iso125, schem, 1-line, and pneumatic/pid/hydraulic default paths 
WD_PNL,%SL_DIR%/panel, panel layout symbol library base folder

In my project the default paths button populates correctly:

When I add %WD_DIR%/Library/Symbols; to the path, the %SL_DIR% alias stops working.

WD_LIB,%WD_DIR%/Library/Symbols;%SL_DIR%/nfpa;%SL_DIR%/jic125;%SL_DIR%/jic125/1-;%SL_DIR%/pneu_iso125;%SL_DIR%/pid;%SL_DIR%/hyd_iso125, schem, 1-line, and pneumatic/pid/hydraulic default paths
WD_PNL,%WD_DIR%/Library/Panel;%SL_DIR%/panel, panel layout symbol library base folder

What could be causing this? I am using AutoCAD Electrical 2017 on Windows 10 64 bit. 

[ramesh.kambang]

I assume all your custom library symbols nfpa, jic, jic-1, ........... are saved in separate folder or drive (or in network drive). Redefine the global variables.

1. In your 2nd screenshot of wd.env, replace "%WD_DIR/Library/Symbols"  with the actual folder directory where your custom library symbols are saved e.g. D:\Custom Library Symbols.
2. Add a line SETQ as shown below in the wd.env.
3. Restart acade
4. In the project properties>library and icon menu path> click schematic libraries then click default button. This will redefine custom library symbol location. 
5. Repeat step 4 for panel libraries

[nathan.averett]

Thank you for your reply. We use some of the default symbols which would be in the default location on the user's local drive (%SL_DIR%). Then the wd.env file is on the network drive with the custom library (%WD_DIR%).

I was trying not to hardcode any paths. With so many people working from home and making copies of the library I wanted to use the same path as the wd.env file for the libraries. This way the wd.env file does not need to be modified for a local copy. Is there any reason the %WD_DIR% and %SL_DIR% variables can't be used in the same line?

[ramesh.kambang]

When you are working remotely, which wd.env file do you use local or remote (network) one?

[nathan.averett]

We copy the whole network folder which includes the network wd.env file. This way we don't have to go the local copy and change it from wd.env.bak to wd.env and vise versa. 

[ramesh.kambang]

I assume copy includes wd.env, custom symbols and all autocad default symbol libraries. Try this:

1. Make sure local wd.env is renamed as old or bak or delete.
2. Open the wd.env from copy folder and remove %WD_DIR%/Library/Symbols (marked in red below) from the  line WD_LIB.

1. Restart autocad electrical.
2. Open the OPTIONS dialog box 
3. On the Files tab, select Support File search path
4. Click Add
5. Click Browse
6. Select the copy folder location eg. C:\copy from server
7. Move the newly added folder to the top of the list.
8. Click apply
9. Click OK

This Option  will use custom symbols from copy folder and default atuocad symbols from local drive.

If the copy folder has everything you need and you prefer to use them as like network symbol libraries do the following:

1. Rename Libs as Libs_old or Libs_bak. Libs are saved under Users>Public>Public Documents>Autodesk>Acade 20XX.
2. Restart autocad 
3. In the project settings select Schematic Libraries, then click default. You will notice acade will use all symbols and libraries from copy folder. 
4. Repeat step 3 for Panel Footprint libraries

Hope this will help.

[nicole · Accepted solution]

Hi All,

I had a similar challenge with this process, it appears that each line can only have one global variable. So Either %WD_DIR% or %SL_DIR% but not both.

So for the %SL_DIR% it makes sense to put the whole path since it is consistent for all users.  C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libs.

************************************************************************************
* Symbol Insertion and Library Paths
************************************************************************************
WD_LIB,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM;C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libs\jic125;C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libsjic125/1-;C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libspneu_iso125;C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libspid;C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libshyd_iso125, schem, 1-line, and pneumatic/pid/hydraulic default paths
WD_PNL,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM,C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade 2021\Libspanel, panel layout symbol library base folder
WD_CIRCBUILDER_FNAM,"ace_circuit_builder.xls",Circuit Builder spreadsheet file name
WD_INSCOMPDLG,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM,to override starting path for INS SCHEM COMP browse button
WD_INSFPDLG,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM,to override starting path for INS PNL COMP browse button
WD_INSCKTDLG,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM,to override starting path for INS CKT file selection dialog
WD_WBLOCKDLG,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM,to override starting subdir for Black Box Bldr WBlock option
*WD_PICKLIST,%WD_DIR%/%WD_LANG%/catalogs/wd_picklist.mdb,ins component from catalog list file
WD_USERCKTDIR,%WD_DIR%/CUSTOM,default folder for "USER CKTS"
PLC_ADDRESS_FORMAT,I:00%10%2;I:%1%2/00;--;O:00%10%2;O:%1%2/00;--;,default PLC address formats for "Quick pick"

I hope this helps someone!

Nicole Morris

Technical Support - Team Lead

KETIV Technolgies, Inc.