OpenBuildings™ Designer Help

Creating and using new Symbols in Symbol Library

Task details how to create new symbols in Electrical discipline, integrate them into the symbol library and import.

All symbols in the Electrical disciplinen symbol library are based on cells (*.cel), so to manually create a new symbol is to create a cell.
  • In this example a new lighting fixture is added to the Tubes Closed section of the symbol library.
  • Then using the click&learn, integrated this standard cell into the Electrical discipline symbol library.
Remember: BBES symbols are organized in groups, for example "TUBES CLOSED" .
Note: Recommend to insert a symbol from the Electrical Application symbol library to check basic dimensions/settings of the new symbol.
  1. Select (Place Block) and create a Block with a width of 1:0 length of 4:0. Use AccuDraw for exact dimensions. Make sure to select the level "Default" when creating the Block and set the options for color, linetype and linewidth all to "Bylevel" .


  2. Next, access the (Cell Library) dialog. The Cell Library dialog opens.
  3. In Cell Library dialog, select File > New. The Create Cell Library dialog opens.
  4. Enter a name for the library in File name field, and click Save. The library for Electrical Symbol gets created.
  5. Next, create a SmartLne from the lower left to the upper right corner of the Block. This construction line is used to define the Cell insertion point.


    Block cell with diagonal smartline



    Result
    Note: Make sure to use Snap modes for precision.
  6. Next, select (Define Cell Origin) to create the Cell origin. Define Cell insertion point in the middle of the construction line, again using Snap mode (Center Snap).


    Defining Cell Insertion point


    At cell Origin
    Cell Origin point defined.
  7. Select construction line with Power Selector and delete it, since it should not be part of the new Cell.




    Next, while the block is selected, click the (Create) tool icon in the toolbar on Cell Library dialog. The Create Cell dialog opens. Enter the Cell Name, description and set the cell type to create the cell in the library.

    The Cell Name will appear in the list in Cell Library dialog.

  8. Double click on the Cell name (or right-click > Place Cell) to place the active cell in the drawing.


    Cell symbols can be placed in drawing

  9. Now, select (Symbol Manager). The Symbol Manager dialog opens.


    • In the treeview on the left pane, select the group TUBES CLOSED.
    • In the symbols list on the right, scroll down to the last symbol entry.
    • Click New to create new symbol record, next in the symbol list.

    A new entry is created and a red 'X' is displayed as a placeholder for the new symbol.

  10. Keep the Symbol tab activated, and click to select the cell (symbol) in the drawing. Focus shifts in the drawing view. Select the cell you inserted in the previous steps.


  11. Enter the 2D Cell Name, Description and click Save. The new symbol gets added to the symbol library.

    The newly added cell symbol icon replaces the red 'X' in record in the symbols list view.

Parent topic: Symbol Manager