Hey All, I have been updating my symbols, and needed to build a pictorial and rack view symbol for a UDP.

Thinking I would save some time and import the manufacturer's line art, I went to edit symbol, then the tab I wanted, then File>import. I browsed to the file, selected it, clicked Open but nothing seems to happen. The file selection dialog closes, but no dwg appears anywhere in my project that I can find. Certainly not in the edit window for the Pictorial view of the symbol.

So, what am I missing? What does File> import do? Where does the imported .dwg end up and what can it be used for?

Is there some other way to avoid drawing pictorial and rack views with the primitive drawing tools in SD7? Some of the library symbols are pretty clearly line art that has been turned into dwg and then brought into the symbol.

Thanks,
zuk

Hi Zuk,

Edit Symbols is a special mode, designed only to allow editing of existing UDP symbols - hence the drawing tabs that you see.

File | Import > DWG is a project action that creates a new tab in your project.

When you import a DWG it creates (in your project) a new drawing based on the DWG and this includes things like layer structure, grid settings etc. You would NOT want this in a UDP because layers etc for symbols are well-defined and specific layers are needed to allow things lke Views (front view, rear view etc) to work.

So, what you can do is import the DWG into a project, copy the parts that you want, then choose Edit Symbols and paste into the UDP symbol tab.

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards,
Rob Robinson
Stardraw.com

Hi Rob, that explains why I was seeing what I was seeing.

Still missing something though.

Is there a FAQ or instructions for building symbols for a UDP that details the process? There must be a guideline document that you give to manufacturers for building the symbols in the libraries. Several forum posts have referred to the strong specifications for symbols.

What I would like to do:

The AMX libraries (and most of the libraries I've tried to use) are out of date, and don't have the product I need. In this specific case, the Enova matrix switch.

I have created a UDP with block schematic. Now I need to produce rack layout and pictorial views. The built in drawing tools are primitive at best.

I would like to import the cad dwg of the Enova front panel and use it in my rack layout.

I would like to import the cad dwg of the Enova 3/4 view and use it in my pictorial view.

I have switched to my project, File>Import [selected CAD file] and a new tab was created.
-- I was asked to choose a unit size, I have no idea what to choose here.
-- I chose 1 unit = 1 inch.

I selected the parts of the drawing I want to use, and copied.

I selected Edit symbols for the UDP

I pasted into the rack tab.

My pasted drawing elements are tiny compared to the existing generic placeholder symbol I chose when I first created the UDP (a 4 U rack mount pc).

There doesn't seem to be any way to scale or resize the pasted elements.

What should my workflow be in order to get professional looking symbols for my UDPs?

I am charging my customers too much to be happy with a simple red rectangle with text on it, especially when that is in the same drawing with fully drawn symbols that look like the real products.

BTW during this process SD7 error'd and everything I click on or try to do gives me the 'send error report' box and then the 'try to continue' box. Continuing doesn't seem to do anything except error again. Hopefully I haven't lost any work except my unsuccessful attempts to create symbols.

zuk

[BUMP]


What should my workflow be in order to get professional looking symbols for my UDPs?

Any help here?

zuk

If required products are missing from our libraries, the best course of action is to request them using our online service: go to http://www.stardraw.com/products/stardrawdesign7/ and click on the link to Request Symbols. It is through Symbols Requests that we prioritize the addition of new symbols and the additional upside of making requests is that all users can benefit from the new symbols that we generate (and you don't have to draw them).

Unfortunately there is no quick and easy answer to your workflow question: it all depends on the nature and quality of the source data.

In the specific case of the AMX Enova, the source data is pretty good and I believe you're on the right track. I have followed the same steps (importing the DWG at 1 Unit = 1 Inch) and found it to be perfectly sized for use in the Rack Layout symbol of a UDP.

Having said this, our goal is not for users to have to spend lots of time generating high quality symbols and this is something that we are geared up for in-house, so please do tell us which specific products you require that are missing from the library using the Request Symbol link.

Kind regards,
Rob Robinson
Stardraw.com