Create a New Symbol
- Last UpdatedMar 14, 2024
- 2 minute read
To create a new symbol without using this facility, proceed as follows:
-
If running AVEVA P&ID on a networked setup, make sure that AVEVA P&ID is not in use anywhere on the network. Without initialising AVEVA P&ID, load an existing AVEVA P&ID drawing and locate an existing item of similar size and AVEVA P&ID type to the new symbol. Measure its length and width to get some idea of scale.
-
Using AutoCAD drawing commands, draw the new item at the required size on a new AVEVA P&ID drawing dialog, again without AVEVA P&ID being initialised. Make the item into a block, carefully picking an insertion point which is at the centre of a symmetrical object or at the left hand end of a non-symmetrical one. For angled, 3 way and 4 way valves, the insertion point should be at the centre, not at the bottom, or the pipes will not break correctly.
-
There are no restrictions on linestyles, colours or naming conventions during symbol creation. However, when AVEVA P&ID inserts a symbol, the colours may alter according to layer/level settings in the project configuration file. Symbols can be manipulated after insertion, for example, rotated, or mirrored. This reduces the required number of standard symbols in a library.
-
Make sure that the block is available to all users, for example, by using WBLOCK in AutoCAD, and place in the \PMETSYM or \PIMPSYM project symbol directory or import using the Symbols Configuration Category of the AVEVA P&ID Project Administration program. Enter the properties of the new symbol in the Symbols pane.
-
Attempt to insert the symbol in order to test the new item with AVEVA P&ID now initialised (see Inserting Symbols). Check the correct insertion point has been selected when creating the block and that the graphical creation angle is correct. If any errors occur, edit the symbol using the Administration program, re-load the drawing, initialise AVEVA P&ID again and retest.
-
If a metric symbol is inserted into an imperial drawing or an imperial symbol into a metric drawing, it will be inserted at the wrong scale. To correct this, edit the symbol length in the Symbols pane.