AutoCAD Working Practices

Symbol templates can be created using standard AutoCAD functions. The special requirements for drawing organization are as follows:

• Each symbol template is represented by a Block insert which is constructed from AutoCAD entities that can be translated into Draft entities by the pdms_symbols command (refer to Symbol Editor - Deriving Draft Command Files).

• Each symbol block must have an AutoCAD attribute (ATTRIB) called PDMS_NAME. The Draft symbol name is given in response to the PDMS_NAME attdef command prompt when the symbol Block is inserted on a drawing. (refer to Creating a Block and an Insert of the Block.)

• Symbol template inserts should be on a separate layer from any annotation for the symbol templates. Annotation may be sent to Draft by using the AutoDRAFT Frame Editor - see Chapters 11-13.

• The drawing limits must match the size of the Symbol Library sheet in Draft (refer to Symbol Library Annotation).

3D AutoCAD entities in symbol inserts cannot be sent back to Draft. Attributes entities on the top-level Insert are ignored (other than the PDMS_NAME attribute). Entities smaller than 0.01mm may be ignored or simplified. Symbol inserts can contain the following AutoCAD entities:

• Line

• Point

• Circle

• Arc

• Text (with Generation Normal)

• Inserts which contain 2D primitives as specified above, including any Attributes.