Starting the Symbol Editor

The Symbol Editor enables symbols created in AutoCAD to be converted into a Draft command macro that can then be used to create the equivalent symbols as Draft Symbol Template (SYTM) elements.

If any of the SYTMs thus defined already exist in the current Draft Symbol Library then the old 2D primitives are deleted and replaced by the new definition.

1. Select Draft > AutoDRAFT to bring up the AutoDRAFT Administration menus.

2. Select Edit > Symbols from the menu bar.

   This displays the AutoDRAFT Symbol Editor form.

3. Make the Symbol Library (SYLB) that you wish to contain the returning Symbol Editor generated symbols the current element.

4. Click on one of the option buttons as required:

   • Create a New Drawing creates a new, empty AutoCAD drawing for use by the Symbol Editor. (If an AutoCAD drawing of the same name already exists then you are asked if you wish to continue (that means, update it, as below), the alternative being to return to DRAFT.)

   • Open an existing Drawing opens an existing Symbol Editor drawing.

5. Do one of the following:

   • Use the Browse button to select a folder for a new drawing (if Create a New Drawing option is selected), or a folder and a DWG file name (if Open an existing Drawing option is selected).

   • Manually edit the text boxes AutoCAD Work Directory and AutoCAD Symbol Drawing Name to define the name and location of the AutoCAD drawing.

6. If you wish all symbols drawn in AutoCAD that have the same name as existing DRAFT symbol templates in the selected Symbol Library to overwrite the DRAFT symbol templates when they are imported from the Symbol Editor, select the Replace All Symbols check box. (If this option is not set, you will still be given the option, at the import stage, to overwrite symbols individually.)

   

7. Specify the AutoCAD drawing units to be used by selecting from the Units drop-down list.

8. If you wish the Symbol Library (SYLB) that you wish to contain the returning Symbol Editor-generated symbols to be other than the shown current element (as selected at step 6), backspace in the Symbol Library Name text entry box until it is clear, then type in the required name.

9. Click on OK.

   After a short pause, the AutoCAD text window and graphics window (with the specified drawing displayed within it) will appear.