Create and edit your own symbols

Layout tab > Devices group >  Symbols menu > Save user symbol

Layout tab > 3D and view group > 3D functions menu >  3D symbol functions menu > Save user 3D symbol

With this function, you can create and save your own symbols.

If you only want to add attributes to an existing symbol or do some simple edits to the symbol graphics, for example, you do not need to explode the symbols before using these save function. However, if you want to use all CADMATIC drawing functions when editing the graphics, you need to explode the symbols into basic elements and edit symbol graphics before using the save function.

Do the following:

1. Select objects to include in symbol to be saved. Alternatively, press Enter to select the symbol from the menu.

2. If selected objects did not include ID attribute, indicate insertion point for it.

3. Indicate symbol's insertion point. The Save symbol dialog opens.

   

4. Define symbol data:

   • Symbol name – Enter the name of the symbol to be saved. The function adds SO by default but you can name the symbols any way you want.
   • Define symbol insertion point – Click to define insertion point.
   • Symbol contains X wiring points – Here, you can see the number of wiring points in the symbol. Symbols have to include one or more wiring points i.e. points where the wire or cable can be connected (like a real terminal of equipment). Therefore, it is important to draw all lines (wires or cables) from wiring point to another.
   Show/hide details

   Do the following:

   1. Click Define.

   2. Indicate the wiring point to which you want to draw the wiring.

   3. Indicate the wiring point's number attribute i.e. the attribute from which to read the connection information.

   • X of wiring points are also cut points – Only used with diagram symbols.
   • Symbol data
     • Symbol type is important for the functions to recognize the symbol to certain electric symbol.
     • With Select symbol type, you can select several subtypes.
     • System – The system the symbol belongs to. Can also be defined when inserting the symbol, or taken from another element by clicking the button.
   • Symbol insertion
     • Scale on insertion by symbol scale factors – The symbol is scalable i.e. it gets elevation based on the symbol scale factors in connection with insertion. Otherwise, the symbol is of the real size (linear light, for example).
     • Symbol angle can be 0 or you can indicate it.
   • Attributes
   Show/hide procedure

   • Add – Every symbol needs at least E_ID attribute (ID).

     1. Select attribute and insert default value if needed.

     2. Indicate attribute's insertion point.

   • Delete – Attribute removal.

   • Edit – Edit attribute properties. You can edit the order of attributes in the symbol with the arrow buttons. See Edit attribute properties.

   • Add to icon menu
     • Icon menu to where the symbols will be saved – Select icon menu from the drop-down menu.
     • Tiptext of the symbol button – Tooltip shown when hovering on the symbol button.
     • Show icon area manually – Outline area of the symbol shown in the icon menu.

5. Click OK.

Edit attribute properties

In the Save symbol dialog, click Edit to open the Attribute properties dialog.

• Pin – Consecutive number for pin attributes.

• Part number – Compiled symbols require the part number. If different symbols are used in different occurrences of the device and the symbols have the same attributes while they mean different things, you have to define a part number, which separates the pins from each other.

  An example of a compiled contactor symbol

  

  E_PINA001[112], Value: 1, Part number: 112

  E_PINB001[112], Value: 2, Part number: 112

  E_PINA001[114], Value: 3, Part number: 114

  E_PINB001[114], Value: 4, Part number: 114

  E_PINA001[116], Value: 5, Part number: 116

  E_PINB001[116], Value: 6, Part number: 116

  E_PINA001[202], Value: 13, Part number: 202

  E_PINB001[202], Value: 14, Part number: 202

  E_PINA001[201], Value: 21, Part number: 201

  E_PINB001[201], Value: 22, Part number: 201

  E_PINA001[101], Value: A1, Part number: 101

  E_PINB001[101], Value: A2, Part number: 101

• Attribute name – Name is generated from the attribute, pin number and part number.

• Prompt – User's can see this prompt/description when they use the symbol.

• Default value – Default can be defined or left blank and ask attribute value on symbol insertion.

• Ask attribute value on symbol insertion – Asks value for this attribute when symbol is inserted to drawing. Uses default value if one is given.

• Attribute visible – Is attribute visible or hidden.

• Reposition attribute

• Alignment and Vertical alignment – Attribute horizontal and vertical alignment.

• Appearance – Size, angle (in degrees) and color of the attribute. The angle is typically 0, for vertically readable attributes 90 and 270. Other free angles are also supported.