AutoCAD Electrical - 60 Tips in 60 Minutes

AutoCAD Electrical:
60 Tips in 60 Minutes
Tiffany Bachmeier / Robert Stein
AutoCAD Electrical Implementation Consultant / Sr. Implementation Consulting Manager
Join the conversation #AU2017

Class summary
On your mark...Get Set!...GO!
Back by popular demand, this fast paced class will keep you on your
toes with brand new rapid fire tips and tricks and all-time favorites to
get the most out of your time in AutoCAD Electrical.
Hold on tight, it’s going to be a wild ride!

2019 AutoCAD Electrical
Virtual User Group
We will have Planned Topics, Guest Speakers, and open Q&A

Launch Date, Sign Up, & More Details @ http://robertstein.blogspot.com/
Key learning objectives
At the end of this class, you will have discovered:

Project Management Tips and Tricks
Drawing Creation Tips and Tricks
Customization Tips and Tricks
Template Tips and Tricks
AND MANY MORE Tips and Tricks for Beginner, Intermediate, and
Advanced AutoCAD Electrical enthusiasts
Project Management Tips
1. Project Level Node in the Location View Tab (2017)
Select this node when you want to view or export the
entire project from the Details and Connections panels.
2. Security Updates (2017)

To minimize the possibility of loading and executing malicious code, some files
previously installed in the public folder, C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Acade
{version}\Support\{language code}, are now installed in C:\Program
Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD {version}\Acade\Support\{language code}\Shared\
3. Publish to PDF with Hyperlinks!
(Publish in general is a great tool!!
It will save an immense amount of time!)
4. Mark/Verify
5. Project Utilities
6. Surfer: "enter" to trace

7. Secondary Catalog Database to search in a Project
8. Use relative paths in your project properties so that

your libraries connect regardless of which release of
ACADE or version of windows you have.
9. Title Block Update command/default.wdu
Drawing Creation Tips
10. Do NOT Explode (or BURST)
11. NFPA Symbol Library Update (2018)

The default device designation for some symbols in the
NFPA library are updated to meet the new NFPA 79
2015 standards
12. Insert components direct from Catalog Browser
13.Task List
14. Insert and Link Inventor Connector in the
Location View Tab or Link ACADE Components
to their respective Inventor Parts in the
Location View Tab (2017)
Select any node or a specific connector in the tree
and right-click to insert.
15. Save Circuit to the Icon Menu will save all of your attribute data, so
everything is already filled out when you insert it. Time Saver!
16. SELECTIONOFFSCREEN System Variable (2018)
Allows you to select objects that are off-screen
17. DWG Format Update (2018)
Has improvements in the efficiency of open and

save operations
18. Swap/Update Block (2018)
Issues that could cause system crashes
have been fixed.
Project-wide block swapping performance
improvements
19. Connectors (2018)

Inserting now hides cross-references,
unless specifically requested to show
20. Editing terminal footprints has been
enhanced to support multiline attributes.
(2018)
21. The Edit Wire Sequence dialog box issues

have been fixed for direct to terminal
connections (2018)
22.Terminal Strips can be sorted in the in the

Table Generator by clicking the column
heading and they are generated in the sort
order (2017)
23. Manufacturer and Catalog Number
in the DIN Rail dialog box can now
support long strings. (2018)
24. Subassembly details from the

secondary catalog database are
now supported in Bill of Material
Reports. (2018)
25. Align
26. Toggle NO/NC
27. Find/Edit/Replace Component Text

28. Resequence Item Numbers Updates (2017)
Drawings are no longer opened for processing,

improving the performance.
The manufacturers are sorted across the project, not per

drawing.
The entire project is always processed, keeping item

numbers in sync for components with the same catalog.
The project property, Reset with each Drawing, has been

removed and is no longer valid
29. Item Number Balloon Update (2017)
30. Multiple Bus to a component with Continue &

Flip options
31. When you add/edit signal arrows the related
Source & Destination arrows are automatically
updated on other drawings (2017)
32. Wire Sequencing (info lives on symbol in the

wire connection attribute as xdata so it sticks
even if you delete the wires)
33. Installation, Location, & Tag attribute
values support up to 255 characters
each. (2017)
34. Insert from Schematic List saves sort

settings now across sessions
(2017)
35. ACADEX & ACADEXA
View Xdata assignments found on
selected entity or on selected attribute
of a block
36. AEXDATA
View/Modify/Add/Delete Xdata on
block or on attribute of block
37. ATTMODE
2 to make all invisible attributes visible
1 to flip back to normal
This can also be done

with ATTDISP
38. Export/Import from Spreadsheet

• Note: do NOT edit the drawings before
you import changes back in
Drawing Creation Tips:
Reports
39. Multi-page Report generation
Reports
40. AutoCAD Electrical and Inventor Combined Bill of
Material Report (2017)
Tip: This option is also available in the Report Format File Setup
for saving your SET files.
Reports
41. Ignore errors in Electrical Audit (2017)
Tip: Top 3 warnings:
Wire No Connection for missing Source/Destination

Signals
Component No Catalog Number for missing BOM

info
Child No Connection for missing parent/child

relationships
Reports
42. DWG Audit
Tip: You get the bonus option to “Show wires”
when running the DWG Audit on the Active
Drawing.
Customization Tips
43. SQL Server & Access Database options
available now (2017)
Deployment Mode/Autodesk Content Migration Utility
Connect to your already created SQL Server instance or

create one using the Autodesk Content Migration
Utility for AutoCAD Electrical
Standalone Mode
Use the Configure Catalog Database command

that allows you to connect, and then select your
catalog and footprint databases on an SQL
Server instance.
Customization Tips
44. New SQL Server Options (2018)
SQL Content Migration Utility
now migrates user-defined tables from Access

to SQL Server
Support for Unicode has been enhanced for

catalog data in SQL mode
Customization Tips
45. In the Catalog Browser, for a given part number, you

can actually define more than just one 2D or one 3D
(Inventor part) library symbol to use
46. Add new Part Numbers plus Pin Lists or Terminal
Properties in new Catalog Browser at the same time
Customization Tips
47. Make additional Catalog Database columns

visible to include in Part Number Searches
RMB on any column in the Catalog Browser
Customization Tips
48. Wire Connection Attributes
X_TERM_ _
Wires know to connect into a component buy this invisible
attribute sitting on the component where the origin of the
attribute text attaches
The first “_” is a number to specify which direction the wire
is coming from
1 = Wire coming in from the Right
2 = Wire coming in from the Top
4 = Wire coming in from the Left
8 = Wire coming in from the Bottom
0 = Radial
Customization Tips
49. Naming Conventions
Schematic Symbols
First: H or V for Horizontal or Vertical
Second & Third: 2 character family code
Fourth: 1 (Parent/Standalone) or 2 (Child)
Fifth: 1 (Normally Open) or 2 (Normally Closed)
All other characters are user defined unique identifiers
32 Characters max
TIP: Do not use "HH", "HV", "VH", or "VV" as the first two characters of a symbol block
name.
Customization Tips
50. Symbol Builder & Attribute Templates
(Drag & Drop)
51. Lastproj.fil text file

In the User Support folder
List of recent projects
Each line in this file gives the following information for
each project:
Project name and path
Project descriptions 1-4
Project state: "2"=Active"1"=Open"0"= not open
but available from the Recent Projects dialog box
Customization Tips
52. Spreadsheet to PLC Tips

NEW_DWG in Code column to make it skip to next drawing
BREAK in the Address column to break the PLC module and

continue in the next ladder column
SPACER in the Address column to skip a rung before

continuing to insert the next I/O point
SKIP in the Code column to make the PLC module skip a ladder
and continue in the next ladder
Customization Tips
53. If you intend to share the major support files with
other team members, utilize the Network Installation
tools inside the installation configuration.
54. If you use your own part numbers in association with

Manufacturer catalog numbers, the User Fields are
great places to put those and now you can search on
them directly from the new Catalog Browser
Customization Tips
55. If you have customized your ACADE, use the
Migration Utility when upgrading to a new release
Template Tips
56. Utilizing the support files for default
description values, location and installation
codes is a great way to standardize
throughout a company.
Description File: wd_desc.wdd
Installation Codes: default.inst
Location Codes: default.loc
Project Line Labels File
(default_wdtitle.wdl)
Title Block Mapping File (default.wdt)
Template Tips
57. Utilize Paper Space, it will make
Publishing easier!
Note: Do NOT put your entire project in
one drawing!
58. Always save your templates with Layer 0

as the Current Layer
General Tips
59. High Resolution (4K) Monitor Support (2018)
The following dialog boxes and palettes scale

correctly when you increase the text size in
Windows display properties
Project Manager Palette

Symbol Builder Palette
Terminal Strip Editor
Set Wire type dialog
General Tips
60. AutoCAD Electrical’s IdeaStation:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-electrical-
ideas/idb-p/37/tab/most-recent
#AU2015
ACADE TRIVIA CHALLENGE
What is the command that allows you to see

invisible attributes in a drawings?
ATTMODE/ATTDISP
ACADE TRIVIA CHALLENGE
I mentioned that we have a new DWG format in

ACADE 2018, when was the previous format
introduced?
2013
Questions
Be heard!
Provide AU session feedback.
Via the Survey Stations, email or mobile
device.
Give your feedback after
each session.
Give instructors feedback
in real-time.
You get a chance to win
great prizes!
Forget to take notes?
No problem!
After AU visit:
AutodeskUniversity.com
Click on My AU to find:
Class Recordings
Presentations
Handouts
All of your sessions will be there

to enjoy again and again.
Thank You So Much for Your
Attention!!
WHO’S AWESOME?!
You’re Awesome!
Autodesk and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2017 Autodesk. All rights reserved.

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What tips are covered for project management?

What tips are covered for project management?

What tips are covered for drawing creation?

What tips are covered for drawing creation?

AutoCAD Electrical:

Join the conversation #AU2017

On your mark...Get Set!...GO!

Hold on tight, it’s going to be a wild ride!

We will have Planned Topics, Guest Speakers, and open Q&A

At the end of this class, you will have discovered:

2. Security Updates (2017)

6. Surfer: "enter" to trace

8. Use relative paths in your project properties so that

11. NFPA Symbol Library Update (2018)

12. Insert components direct from Catalog Browser

Allows you to select objects that are off-screen

17. DWG Format Update (2018)

Has improvements in the efficiency of open and

19. Connectors (2018)

21. The Edit Wire Sequence dialog box issues

22.Terminal Strips can be sorted in the in the

24. Subassembly details from the

26. Toggle NO/NC

27. Find/Edit/Replace Component Text

Drawings are no longer opened for processing,

The manufacturers are sorted across the project, not per

The entire project is always processed, keeping item

The project property, Reset with each Drawing, has been

29. Item Number Balloon Update (2017)

30. Multiple Bus to a component with Continue &

32. Wire Sequencing (info lives on symbol in the

34. Insert from Schematic List saves sort

1 to flip back to normal

This can also be done

38. Export/Import from Spreadsheet

Wire No Connection for missing Source/Destination

Component No Catalog Number for missing BOM

Child No Connection for missing parent/child

Connect to your already created SQL Server instance or

Use the Configure Catalog Database command

now migrates user-defined tables from Access

Support for Unicode has been enhanced for

45. In the Catalog Browser, for a given part number, you

47. Make additional Catalog Database columns

2 = Wire coming in from the Top

4 = Wire coming in from the Left

8 = Wire coming in from the Bottom

First: H or V for Horizontal or Vertical

Second & Third: 2 character family code

Fourth: 1 (Parent/Standalone) or 2 (Child)

Fifth: 1 (Normally Open) or 2 (Normally Closed)

All other characters are user defined unique identifiers

51. Lastproj.fil text file

52. Spreadsheet to PLC Tips

BREAK in the Address column to break the PLC module and

SPACER in the Address column to skip a rung before

54. If you use your own part numbers in association with

58. Always save your templates with Layer 0

The following dialog boxes and palettes scale

Project Manager Palette