RobUSMC Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 I have been going through my user library and creating symbols that I want on my custom layers. For example, all my outlets are on a layer named Electrical, Outlets. Switches on Electrical, Switches and so on for fans, appliance outlets, ceiling and wall lights. The reason I do this is when you have all these symbols plus under cabinet rope lights, backsplash outlets and switches, pendants and so on on the same layer such as the single default electrical layer and your in a kitchen or bath they are all on top of one another and makes it hard to read on a plan. I send these to individual sheets in my layout. My electrician loves it because its easy to read. That's just how I do it. I'm sure others have their own process too. Here is my electrical symbol library where all are on those custom layers with correct materials. I have also done this for Bath & Kitchen accessories, Bath Plumbing, Kitchen Plumbing, Bath Shower parts, Interior Decor, Furniture & Furnishings. Attached is the electrical library. If you find this helpful I can share these others. Also attached is a screenshot of the electrical layers Ive created to keep items separated on a layout. Link to One Drive folder for download as its over the 14MB limit Electric Symbols.calibz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoopy1963 Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 This is awesome! I’ve always used the default layer plus I created separate layers for Lights, outlets, and switches but never as specific as yours. It gives you more control of your electrical symbols. You killed it man! That’s pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg_NY61 Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 This is awesome, but for some reason, I cannot get it to download.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 Message me with your email and ill send it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kbird1 Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 I do this with my Plumbing Fixtures, splitting them into Kitchen Bathroom, Shower etc too , and I can see how this would be helpful for Electrical Plans as well. It appears your OneDrive/Sharepoint won't allow "strangers" to download the File ..... did you try uploading it direct to the Forum ? it should allow 14mb attachments , though you may need to split it perhaps into 2 Libraries? Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg_NY61 Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Rob, I left you my email. Thank you! Mick, I thought it was on my end... I ran into the same problem, it wouldn't allow to download. I thought it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 Try it now. I might have not had the correct permissions set Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 Here is one for Bath Plumbing and one for Shower Part & Schluter Bath Plumbing.calibz Bath Shower Parts & Schluter.calibz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kbird1 Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 6 minutes ago, RobUSMC said: Here is one for Bath Plumbing and one for Shower Part & Schluter Bath Plumbing.calibz Bath Shower Parts & Schluter.calibz Thanks Rob , these two Libraries can be downloaded but the electrical Library is still denying permission to download.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 Maybe 4th times the charm Electric Symbols.calibz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 I also have these almost completed... - Kitchen Plumbing - Bath Accessories - Kitchen Accessories - HVAC - Interior Decor and accessories - Furniture - Kitchen Appliances 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kbird1 Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 9 minutes ago, RobUSMC said: Maybe 4th times the charm Electric Symbols.calibz Yep , good now and Thanks. You might need to Change the Threads Title ( Edit the 1st Post ) to just Rob's Libraries / Symbols ...... * the benefit of making smaller Libraries and Posting Directly her eon the Forum, is that you don't need to Host them ...now or in the future.... Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 This is great for the individual user...but custom layers like this are such a pain to deal with as an outside contractor coming in and trying to help with your plan. Not to mention the maintainence of it and upkeep. As soon as you setup something custom, it can all bebroken by a code cycle, or a software cycle, or you want to change your approach...then you have to process all of these symbols again. I'm only mentioning this because I've been throughit all extensively and its a major pain in the long run. All of my custom layers are finally long gone and I am so much happier for it. If you plan on ousourcing at all, I highly encourage sticking as close to defaults as possible. I would argue that you burn just as many sheets having multiple sheets with different things on them as you would just sending your plan at a greater scale and using match lines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 A appreciate the constructive criticism Rene. I've always worked more out of my user library especially in much earlier versions of CA before they even had bonus catalogs or the ability to copy anything from the core of mfg to the user library. I have three in house designers and I have their PC set up just like mine and I update theirs by importing a new user library on a weekly basic if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg_NY61 Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Awesome...Thank you Rob! It worked this time...:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 8 hours ago, RobUSMC said: A appreciate the constructive criticism Rene. I've always worked more out of my user library especially in much earlier versions of CA before they even had bonus catalogs or the ability to copy anything from the core of mfg to the user library. I have three in house designers and I have their PC set up just like mine and I update theirs by importing a new user library on a weekly basic if needed. I will be thankful for the day when chief gives us these items on a system-based custom layer..then its scalable globally and would be awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH04ResDgn Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Hi All Rene, you have great things going on from what I've seen over the couple years of learning getting into the CA program. You are right. After many ways with (not so) Auto-CAD, I too have went the Less is More route with layers. Elevations I use 4 layers from light to dark, Done. But that is all line work. Even Revit, has it to where the outlets, switches and lights are able to be switched on / off in your view. Notice how I didn't say "Layer". They don't really use them per se. However, seeing many different types of architects' CAD files, using 5 layers, makes it to where you can have the: Plan 1. Outlets & Switches & Circuits Below on the Power Plan (3 layers) Plan 2. Switches & Lights & Circuits Above on the Lighting Plan (2 additional layers) Just like schedules can separate floors, rooms, cabinets, etc, this should be the same on plans. When done you have 2 sheets. CA needs to incorporate this Simple concept. Be nice to have a simple panel schedule soon. (unless I'm not seeing it yet?) From others, the Plumbing and Mech. too. Always looking forward to learning more, CH (I wanted to add my 2-cents as I believe we are behind compared to other programs out there. Even printing per another person's post, and should also include keeping same sheet setup per file & print single sheets not batch only. Further, export to .dwg needs work.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 42 minutes ago, CH04ResDgn said: Plan 1. Outlets & Switches & Circuits Below on the Power Plan (3 layers) Plan 2. Switches & Lights & Circuits Above on the Lighting Plan (2 additional layers) I would say this is heavy leaning toward a commercial building workflow with an RCP. I only ever see local muni preference of having it all on one sheet in the regions I work in nationally. Is this a requirement somewhere? I am just curous I would suggest, sending in a suggestion for additional electrical layers and pin it here and we can all go file a report and it might change. My preference is entirely for scalability, it's difficult to adopt someones custom stuff..I can't do it, I work with too many different Chief Techs..and a system like this is one I see as volitile...too many symbols and too much maintaence. I have all of my own symbols for z-wave..already too many to manage and go build a layer set around after designating outlet/light/switch leg/ etc. Even more so when you get into conditions where a symbol needs to be on both an RCP and a power plan. If nothing else, would encourage to push this to suggestions..we can get stuff to happen that way, as its a great thought @RobUSMC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 I finished these libraries. If it help you great. If not no problem. Do to the plan size, I can email it to you if you need the textures Bath Accessories.calibz Bath Plumbing.calibz Bath Shower Parts & Schluter.calibz Electric Symbols.calibz HVAC.calibz Kitchen & Laundry Appliances.calibz Kitchen Accessories.calibz Kitchen Plumbing.calibz Misc Plumbing.calibz Rob's Layer Sets 6-13-2023.layers Symbol Plan.zip 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kbird1 Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 Hi Rob , just wanted to say thanks , I see you updated the Post with he Plan File as well so People will have all the textures , so thanks for doing that. 1 small problem , the Kitchen Plumbing Library is not downloadable as access is denied.... Mick. @RobUSMC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg_NY61 Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 Rob, Thanks again, amazing what you did there! Greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobUSMC Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Try this one Kitchen Plumbing.calibz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kbird1 Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 6 minutes ago, RobUSMC said: Try this one Kitchen Plumbing.calibz Good now M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flox25 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 HI Rob! Thank you very much for sharing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennny Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 On 6/11/2023 at 3:01 PM, RobUSMC said: I have been going through my user library and creating symbols that I want on my custom layers. For example, all my outlets are on a layer named Electrical, Outlets. Switches on Electrical, Switches and so on for fans, appliance outlets, ceiling and wall lights. The reason I do this is when you have all these symbols plus under cabinet rope lights, backsplash outlets and switches, pendants and so on on the same layer such as the single default electrical layer and your in a kitchen or bath they are all on top of one another and makes it hard to read on a plan. I send these to individual sheets in my layout. My electrician loves it because its easy to read. That's just how I do it. I'm sure others have their own process too. Here is my electrical symbol library where all are on those custom layers with correct materials. I have also done this for Bath & Kitchen accessories, Bath Plumbing, Kitchen Plumbing, Bath Shower parts, Interior Decor, Furniture & Furnishings. Attached is the electrical library. If you find this helpful I can share these others. Also attached is a screenshot of the electrical layers Ive created to keep items separated on a layout. Link to One Drive folder for download as its over the 14MB limit Electric Symbols.calibz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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