Change electrical symbols?

[clfrycreative]

Chief seems to be getting further and further away from industry standard symbols, and electrical is no exception. I need to change some of the plan-view electrical symbols back to those that my trades are accustomed to seeing... for instance, the ceiling lights (all types) are now shown rotated 45 degrees (although the symbol shown in the drop-down menu is still correct). Is there a way to change or draw my own symbols to replace those currently associated by default?

Also, is there a way to add commonly used symbols to the drop-down menu, instead of having to search the library? For instance, I use recessed cans predominantly in most of my homes, but it isn't in the drop-down tool bar menu...

[DRAWZILLA]

You can change the cad block associated to the symbol and after you have the perfect symbol and cad block , add it to your lib. for a quick and easy way to put it in the plan. Create a folder in your user lib and add those things you use all the time.

[Gawdzira]

I agree it would be nice to have more items available in the electrical drop down. Here is a method to add some custom clickable items to your tool bar. You can also customize the icon so that you can grab them  without too much guessing.

 

After you place that "Place Library Item" button, double click it to set it up.

[Joe_Carrick]

Note, you can also create "Custom Toolbars" and place a set of "Library Objects" on them with the buttons having the appearance you want.  There are videos on how to do this - Michael (Alaskan Son) had some pretty good ones.

[chief58]

Joe Michael video's would they be on youtube where I can find them or someplace else

 

Thanks

[Joe_Carrick]

I'm not sure if they were on youtube - but they were posted here on the Forum.  I'll see if I can find the thread.

 

Try this thread https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/8424-customize-toolbar-for-specific-task/#entry74093

[clfrycreative]

Thanks, guys, I think I finally hit the right Chief tutorial that outlines what some of you were talking about:
https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00805/editing-2d-cad-blocks-assigned-to-3d-symbols.html
Looks like I should probably put aside a day for symbol changing.

Does this need to be done in the profile drawing?

I'll also take a look at those toolbar/library videos too.

[Alaskan_Son]

Thanks for the kind words Joe. Here are the direct youtube links for those videos (part 1 and part 2)...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f7-aYs2jmoo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1EerA1D_gIs

clfry,

I would also recommend you take a look at this thread if you're going to be changing a bunch of CAD blocks. There are a few things in that thread and in the related video that I think might come in handy for you.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=60C5mFXNUu4

[Kelly_K]

A custom toolbar for your electrical symbols is the only way to go. The only downside is you get to rebuild it with each new version. There are ways to retain it, but it is not recommended by chief.

[brentjohn]

Alaskan_Son,

I realize this is an older thread, but great information!!

Is there a way to modify/delete the library object button.  I want to use another object, as well as another icon.

[Alaskan_Son]

11 hours ago, brentjohn said:

Alaskan_Son,

I realize this is an older thread, but great information!!

Is there a way to modify/delete the library object button.  I want to use another object, as well as another icon.

 

Hi brentjohn,

 

To modify the Custom Place Library Object Toolbar simply double click on it.  This will give you the ability to change:

• The Library Object
• The Button Name
• The Button Icon

 

To delete the button, simply right click on your toolbar, click Customize Toolbars, and then depending on the situation either:

 

A.   click on your button and drag it off screen (or at least out of the toolbar area) OR...

B.   click on Toolbar, select your custom toolbar from the list, and click Delete.

 

 

Hope that helps.

[brentjohn]

Alaskan_Son,

Thank you much!!!