Anyone know how to add a connection point for the 'rubberbanding' cables? I want to create a new shape (a BNC T) that I can connect to. I'd also like to use the block outlines in the Generic Components library to create user products. (in Visio it's a drop down when you click on the connector line tool.)

Barring that, anyone know how to make a cable end 'connect' to a cable end? I'd like to show short cable adapters in line, and have the cable end types correct in attributes without having to create a custom product.

Or, anyone know if there is a BNC T anywhere in the libraries? I can't find one in the logical places to look.

How are others dealing with cable adapters?

Thanks,

zuk

Hi Zuk,

The architecture of Stardraw Design 7 is such that cables only connect to products, and only products can support connectors.

Therefore, I would suggest that you use the UDP wizard (Tools | Create User Defined Product) to make a little product to represent each flavor of adaptor. Some advantages of this are that if you label each IO with the connector type then your Cable Schedule can show the connector types for each connection and, of course, the adaptors will be shown on any product reports so that you can include them in quotes, bills of materials, pick-lists etc.

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards,
Rob Robinson
Stardraw.com

Thanks Rob,

So how do I add the connection point to the components, when I build my UDP? How do I "label each IO with the connector type" in a way that the cable schedule knows about it? (or does it use the text?)

BTW, this behaviour doesn't allow users to correctly document real world conditions as many adapters are simply cable with different ends. In those cases, they have length/ type/ etc and just connect to another cable.

My other question was about BNC T's. Any in the libraries, and if not see my question about connection points, as I will want to draw small symbols for BNC T's and barrels.


zuk

Hi Zuk,

Using the UDP wizard create a Block Schematic symbol for the product. The first step of this is to set the number and type of Inputs and Outputs, e.g. 1 video in, 1 video out; this is what creates the connection points. The second step allows you to set the labels for those IOs, which are used in the Cable Schedule.

Once the symbol has been created, if you wish to edit the look of it in any way, just rightclick on the product in the Product Browser (when you're in a Block Schematic drawing) and select Edit Symbols. This puts you into Symbol Editing mode which gives you freeform editing capability.

For a T, just set 1 input and 2 outputs.

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards,
Rob Robinson
Stardraw.com

Hey Rob, I tried this.

After some playing around and testing, I'll summarize.

The connection point for the cable 'rubber band' seems to be one end of the aqua colored 'stub'.

If you rotate the stub, you will lose the connection point.

So if you want a cable to enter the top or bottom of your symbol, place the stub HORIZONTALLY with the end where you want it on your horizontal line. (the connector glue end is the end that was originally touching the red rectangle you start with.)

You can move and rotate the TEXT associated with that in/out stub but not the text AND the stub.

Once saved, you can put the product/symbol in your drawing and THEN you can rotate it without losing the connection points. Although cables already connected won't stay connected when you rotate, you can re-connect them.

Wow, what a lot of hoops to jump thru, instead of just having the connection point tool, like Visio.


z

Hi Zuk,

It is part of the SD7 symbol specification that IO stubs should be horizontal, and by convention inputs are on the left, and outputs are on the right.

While this can make some things trickier - i.e. when you want to go outside of the specification and conventions - the benefits actually greatly outweigh any disadvantages. You can imagine, for example, how complicated the UDP wizard's block schematic symbol generator would be if you had to specify for each IO its orientation, angle, position and alignment.

So, while I take on board your comments, in 'breaking' the conventions things will necessarily be a little more convoluted than if one stays within the guidelines for normal and expected use.

Kind regards,
Rob Robinson
Stardraw.com

So is there a convention for drawing one cable connected to another? Or an adapter with minimal length? This is a very common real world situation, and one that is critical to document correctly if you want all the pieces to be there when you get to the customer site to install your project.

z

Hi Zuk,

Well, the architecture is that cables connect to products, but within that context, and since you can make symbols of products look pretty much any way you want, things are flexible.

I would suggest making a UDP of an adaptor in the normal way (Tools | Create User Defined Product) and create a simple 1 in, 1 out Block Schematic symbol.

Then you can use rightclick Edit Symbols on that UDP to tweak the symbol to make it look any way you want, i.e. remove any unwanted text, optimize the size and shape of the outline etc.

A smart knock-on is that from the adaptor symbol (when it's in a drawing) you can rightclick and select Create User Defined Product from Product. This way you can create other adaptors from your base adaptor and just tweak the symbols for them, e.g. just change the text on the IO stubs.

When you use that adaptor symbol it's a true Product, so cables will connect to it and it will appear in Cable Schedules and Reports, so this way you've got your rubberbanding and data output for things like quotations, pick lists etc.

Kind regards,
Rob Robinson
Stardraw.com

Hi,

Pasquale,

I'm pleased to say that we have now published an update to Stardraw Design 7 that exports all Cables to the Cable Schedule - whether they are connected or not:

http://forums.stardraw.com/FindPost8917.aspx

David Snipp
Stardraw.com Ltd