A symbol is a group of graphical objects (lines, arcs, circles, etc.), optional grip points, and attributes. The program sees a symbol as one single object. Applications typically include extensive symbol libraries as well as intelligent functions to automate routines. Furthermore, you can create symbols from entities you use often.
A typical use of symbols is with a set of standardized drawing symbols. The program sets no limits to how large a symbol can be. You can define a whole architectural floor plan as one single symbol, if you want to.
There are clear advantages of using symbols:
-
You do not need to redraw something that you use often. Instead, you can insert them as symbols.
-
The drawing is more intelligent when a certain group of objects is used as a symbol and not as individual objects. You can count the number of each symbol in the drawing and create a bill of contents. In addition, the drawing runs faster because the symbol's definition is written in the drawing database only once.
You can handle symbol files in the same way as regular drawing files. Symbols have the following properties:
-
Layer structure – Different objects within the symbol can be on different layers. When you insert a symbol, the symbol itself is on the current layer but the separate objects within it adopt their original layer defined in the symbol.
-
Color – You can use different colors for the objects within the symbol.
-
Linetype – Objects also retain their linetype information.