Creating Symbol Templates

The SYTMs define the appearance of the 2D symbols that users can refer to when creating SLABs to add to their drawings.

Hint: You will find it easier to position and align the individual parts of each SYTM (that means, the primitives, text, and/or instances of other symbols) if you display a working grid with a fairly small spacing (say 10 mm) and set the snap function on.

Create each SYTM as follows:

1. Select Create > Symbol Template and give the symbol a meaningful name.

2. Use the cursor to position the origin of the SYTM at a convenient grid point.

3. Depending on the detailed design required, create one or more components of the SYTM in turn from the Draw, Edit and Construct options.

4. As you create each component, use the cursor to position it and, for a primitive, to define its size.

5. If the grid‑snap function prevents you setting the precise position or size that you want, either turn snapping off temporarily or modify the attributes of the primitive later. (Remember, when positioning the component parts of the SYTM, where you placed its origin in Step 2.)

Adding Annotation via a Backing Sheet

When you create each SYTM, you effectively define its origin with respect to its component outlines. It is helpful if users can see where this origin is, but you may not want to make an origin marker part of the selectable symbol instance. Similarly, you may wish to add a descriptive name to the SYTM, as displayed on the LALB sheet, in such a way that the name does not form part of the selectable symbol instance. The solution is to position the origin marker and descriptive name on a backing sheet that is displayed with, but does not form part of, the LALB sheet. To do so, proceed as follows:

6. Examine the displayed LALB sheet and make a note of the coordinates of all locations at which you wish to position supplementary details. (You may be able to use the grid as a measuring scale if you have chosen a convenient spacing and have positioned SYTM components at grid intersection points.)

7. Change to Sheet Library Administration mode (see Sheet Library Administration).

8. Create a backing sheet (BACK) with the same dimensions as the LALB sheet and display it in a 2D View.

9. For each required item of annotation on the LALB, create a NOTE and position at the appropriate point on the BACK (using the notes which you made in Step 1 as a reminder).

10. Change back to Label Library Administration mode.

11. Select Modify > Label Library > Definition and set the Backing Sheet Reference option to the name of the corresponding BACK that you have just created.

    Now, when the LALB is displayed, the annotation for each SYTM will be shown for the user’s guidance without confusing the selection of a symbol instance for adding to a drawing.