How Do I Change the Schematic Symbols in AutoCAD Electrical?

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How Do I Change the Schematic Symbols in AutoCAD Electrical?

If you are working with AutoCAD Electrical, you may find yourself needing to customize the default schematic symbols for various reasons. Whether you want to adhere to company standards or simply prefer a different symbol style, AutoCAD Electrical provides a straightforward way to change the schematic symbols. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to accomplish this task.

Step 1: Accessing the Symbol Builder

To change the schematic symbols in AutoCAD Electrical, you need to access the Symbol Builder tool. This tool allows you to modify existing symbols or create new ones from scratch. To access it, follow these steps:

  1. Open AutoCAD Electrical.
  2. In the ribbon menu, click on the “Schematic” tab.
  3. Locate and click on the “Symbol Builder” button in the “Symbols” panel.

Note: Make sure you have appropriate permissions and privileges to access and modify schematic symbols in your project.

Step 2: Selecting a Symbol for Modification

Once you have opened the Symbol Builder tool, you will be presented with a list of existing schematic symbols. To select a symbol for modification, follow these steps:

  1. Browse through the list of symbols or use the search functionality to find the desired symbol.
  2. Select the symbol by clicking on it once.

TIP: You can use filters or sorting options available in Symbol Builder to narrow down your search for specific types of symbols or categories.

Step 3: Modifying Symbol Properties

After selecting a symbol, you can proceed to modify its properties. These properties may include the symbol shape, size, text style, or any other attribute associated with the symbol. To modify symbol properties, follow these steps:

  1. In the Symbol Builder tool, navigate to the “Properties” panel.
  2. Adjust the desired properties using the available options and controls.
  3. Preview your changes in real-time by referring to the symbol preview window.

TIP: Take advantage of AutoCAD Electrical’s extensive customization options to create symbols that best suit your specific requirements.

Step 4: Saving and Applying Custom Symbols

Once you are satisfied with your modifications, it’s time to save and apply your custom symbols. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. In the Symbol Builder tool, click on the “Save” button.
  2. You will be prompted to provide a name and location for your custom symbol library. Choose an appropriate name and directory location.
  3. Click on “Save” to store your custom symbols.

Note: It’s recommended to organize your custom symbols in separate libraries to maintain clarity and ease of use.

Applying Custom Symbols

To apply your custom symbols in AutoCAD Electrical, follow these steps:

  1. In AutoCAD Electrical, open a drawing or project where you want to use the modified symbols.
  2. Navigate to the “Insert Components” panel and click on the drop-down arrow next to “Icon menu”.
  3. Select your custom symbol library from the list of available libraries.
  4. Choose the desired custom symbol from the library.
  5. Click on the drawing area to place the selected symbol.

TIP: You can also assign your custom symbols to specific catalog items for easy access and standardized usage.

Conclusion

Customizing schematic symbols in AutoCAD Electrical is a powerful functionality that allows you to tailor your drawings according to your needs. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should now be able to change and apply custom symbols efficiently.

Remember to save your custom symbols in organized libraries for future use. Happy symbol customization!