Duplicate wire numbers

[Anonymous]

It would be nice to be able to assign certain wire numbers (such as GND, L1, L2, etc.) as allowing duplicates to avoid the dialog box stating the wire is duplicated.  It would also be nice to allow a layer to have a fixed wire number that could be duplicated (again GND).  Default behavior now for auto numbering would be GND1, GND2, etc.  Just GND would be preferred.

[Icemanau]

@dougmcalexander  posted this back in 2012 for someone who had a similar request...

<QUOTE>

Manually assign the wire numbers you wish to duplicate, setting them to fixed.  Edit the wd.env file (located in the AeData folder) and add these wire numbers to the "SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk" list.

<END QUOTE>

What is required however is a dialog box to enter any of these number into which then modifies the WD.ENV file for us.

This would be a lot easier for the end user than digging through random directictories trying to find the wd.env file that people have to do now.

Then there is the possibility of causing a problem with ACADE if the file is modified the wrong way.

The WD.ENV file can be located in C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Documents\Acade <VERSION NUMBER>\AeData.

I would suggest making a backup copy BEFORE you edit the file just in case you make a mistake.

This is how the line appears in my file.

SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk,'("GND" "24VDC" "COM" "EARTH" "90")

To add a number to the list, it's as simple as putting a space, Open Quote, Number Close Quote after the last in the list or if required remove the same for numbers you dont want in the list.

Regards Brad

[Anonymous]

Well, that is a start.  I did not know that exist. Guess I should have searched for that first.  We "usually" only use the global .env file, so that is at least doable.  But I agree we need editors instead of notepad for options like these.  I am ok with keeping them text files for power users, but the option to use a dialog box should always be there.  One of my gripes with Autocad, a lot of small option files to edit.  Promis-e seemed to keep everything in one place roughly.

Second part of that request would be to allow assign by wire layer to have a truly fixed wire number.  So I could have a ground layer that all wires are GND.  Do you know a work around for that?

[dougmcalexander]

You could try assigning wire numbers based upon layer name.  If all grounds distribute from a common point they will all share the same wire number.  You must first edit the wd.env file and remove the asterisk in from of the line that reads:

SETQ:GBL_wd_wnum_noduplicate_chk,'("GND" "24VDC" "COM")

GND is a default, so you only need to remove the asterisk that comments out the line.  This will enable the option.

Next go to Project Properties and click the Wire Numbers tab.  Set as shown below.  The reason I used D,D,D,D,D,etc. as the suffux is because the software needs some type of suffix.  So I set the wire number to GN and the suffix adds the letter D. You will notice that my main ground stud, tagged as -PE branches off in a star-like configuration to distribute "potential earth" to various circuits.  This method allows each ground wire to be a different gauge/size if necessary.  Source arrows distribute ground to destination arrows attached to various circuits throughout the project.

But you could also just connect one wire to the ground stud and use a source arrow to feed multiple circuits throughout the project.  Since all wires connect to the same source arrow all ground wires will share the same wire number.  This method can be used if all ground wires are the same gauge/size.

[Anonymous]

Well the duplicate check worked like a charm.  I will have to try the autowire suggestion on the next project.  Thanks for your feedback.  Saved me quite a bit of time.

[dougmcalexander]

If you are auto-assigning wire numbers sequentially, rather than line-reference based, no suffix is needed, so you can type GND into the "Wire number format for layer" field and leave the suffix field blank.  So wires on a layer that begins with GN (green/yellow) will be numbered GND.  GN* takes care of all sizes of green/yellow wires.

[dougmcalexander]

For some reason the D,D,D,D,D,D, etc, suffix worked when I tested it the first time.  I must have temporarily fooled the software, because what you did not see in the screen capture was another separate ground circuit at the top of the drawing that also got assigned GND.  But the software insists upon assigning a unique suffix, no matter what, when you are assigning wire numbers based upon line references.  Of course if all wires originate at one common ground stud, as shown in one of the screen captures in my previous post, the wire numbers will be the same anyway.  So there is no issue with the suffix, since none are needed.

But there is still a way to auto-assign the grounds when using line reference-based wire numbering.  Follow the attached screen capture after you click wire numbering.  Be sure that none of the ground wires have already been assigned a number.  Delete any previously assigned wire numbers from all ground wires.  When you click to wire number you will select to number new/unnumbered only and number sequentially, as shown in the screen capture.

I apologize for the confusion.  I should have tested more thoroughly.