Save your own symbols

Cabinet Layout tab > Devices group > Symbols

On the (User's symbols) tab in the Symbols window, you can create your own cabinet layout symbols by exploding an existing symbol to be used as the base. This is also an easy way to get several attributes for your symbol. You can copy and edit the attributes as needed.

Important: The symbol functions of CADMATIC Draw should not be used with symbols related to the Electrical application.

Do the following:

  1. In the Symbols window, select the The User's symbols tab in the Symbols window (User's symbols) tab.

  2. Click the The Save user symbol button in the Symbols window (Save user symbol) button.

  3. Select objects to include in the symbol to be saved and press Enter.

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

  5. Define the following:

    • Symbol name – Enter the name for 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 – Define the insertion point.
    • Symbol data
      • Symbol type – Select the symbol type based on which the application functions recognize which kind of Electrical symbol it is. By default, the type is Device.
      • Select symbol type – Define one or more subtypes for the symbol type.
    • Attributes – You can add, delete and edit the attributes. The E_ID attribute (ID) is always required.

      • Add – Select the desired attribute and insert default value if needed. Click OK and indicate the insertion point.

      • Delete – Remove an attribute.

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

    • Save to user's symbols – If you want the symbol to be available in the Symbols window, select this. Otherwise, the symbol will be saved to the symbols in your user profile but it will not be shown in the Symbols window.
      • Database type – Select the type of the database: User or Shared.
      • Symbol tree path – Select the desired symbol tree folder from the drop-down menu, or create a new one by selecting New. You can manage the folders in the Symbols window (see Define folder structure for your own symbols).
      • Tooltip for the symbol – Define the tooltip shown when hovering over the symbol.
      • Save icon area manually – Outline the area you want to show in the symbol icon.

    • Drawing and editing – Select the desired edit function (such as Draw circle) from the drop-down menu and click Run. When the action is completed, the function will return back to the symbol saving dialog automatically.

  6. Click OK.

Edit attribute properties

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

  • Pin number – Define the running number for pin attributes.

  • Part number – Compiled symbols require a part number. If different symbols are used for different device occurrences 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.

    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 – The name is generated from the attribute, pin number and part number.

  • Prompt – Define the prompt/description shown when using the symbol.

  • Default value – Define a default value for the attribute. Alternatively, you can leave this blank and select to define the attribute value on symbol insertion.

  • Ask attribute value on symbol insertion – Select this if you want the application to ask for the attribute value when you insert the symbol. If you defined the default value, that will be used.

  • Attribute visible – Select this if you want the attribute to be shown in the drawing.

  • Reposition attribute (available when editing) – Select this if you want to reposition the attribute you are editing.

  • Alignment and Vertical alignment – Define the horizontal and vertical alignment for the attribute.

  • Appearance – Define the size, angle (in degrees) and color of the attribute.

    • Angle – The angle is typically 0, for vertically readable attributes 90 or 270. Other free angles are also supported.

    • Style – Select the desired text style by clicking the button.

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