Is it possible to associate a 2D CAD block & a 2D Symbol to the same entity?

[JimmyTheJamb]

I'm curious if there's a way to associate a 2D CAD block and a 2D symbol to the same object, to be shown under different layer sets/views.

For example, we have a bunch of custom electronic devices which I've created 2D CAD blocks from, by importing the 2D SolidWorks file from our engineers.  These devices always require the same electrical configuration, located in the same spot relative to the device.  I'm trying to simplify the drafting process so that when I place the wireframe of the device in the Working Plan View, the electrical symbol automatically places itself based on where the device was placed when I switch back to the Electrical Plan View. 

 

I think I'm effectively looking for a way to make a single object that has 2 different blocks visible depending on which layers are toggled on.  I don't need any 3D representation of either block.  I've tried this a few ways but can't figure it out, seems like the wire frame and electrical symbol ultimately end up in the same layer set.  Is this something that's possible with X16?

Thank you!

[DBCooper]

You can assign one cad block to the electrical symbol and then you can place the other cad block into the plan by itself.  If the electrical is on one layer and the cad block is on a different layer, then you will have control over which one displays in any plan view.  You will need to remember to move both objects together.

 

[JimmyTheJamb]

13 minutes ago, DBCooper said:

You can assign one cad block to the electrical symbol and then you can place the other cad block into the plan by itself.  If the electrical is on one layer and the cad block is on a different layer, then you will have control over which one displays in any plan view.  You will need to remember to move both objects together.

 

Thank you for the prompt reply DB!  This is currently what I've been doing, but I'm trying to avoid having to move them separately to eliminate the "human-error" aspect.  Is there no way to tie them together so they move in conjunction in both view sets, yet can be independently toggled?

[DBCooper]

You could maybe create 2 different electrical objects with the 2 different cad blocks and put them on 2 different layers.  You could then put both electrical objects in an "architectural block".  This way you could treat them like they are one object and still have the ability to display only one at a time.

 

[JimmyTheJamb]

That sounds more like what I'm looking for.  After a cursory Google & looking through the CAx16 manual, its not clear how to go about creating Architectural Blocks though.  It looks like this is an option with Home Designer Architectural, however I don't see the same options with Chief Architect X16.  Where could I find the "Make Architectural Block" icon if it doesn't appear on my lower toolbar and I don't see it in any drop-down menus?  Sorry, I'm a bit of a CA noob, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[DBCooper]

When you have two or more electrical objects selected, you should see the "make architectural block" button.

 

[JimmyTheJamb]

Ah, that's why I don't see the option.  The symbol is an electrical object, but the associated device is just a wireframe CAD block.  I would think there's a way to associate, for example, a stove fixture with the appropriate relative utilities so that when the stove is relocated, the gas & electric moves with it.  Is that not the case with CA, or would I need to make the "stove" a different type of block, such as converting it to an electrical object?

[DBCooper]

Most of the "symbol object types", along with a number of other non-symbol objects, can be grouped together as an "architectural block".  A "symbol type object" could be an electrical object, an appliance, a plumbing fixture, a piece of furniture, a door panel, or a number of other things.  Most 2D cad objects can be grouped together as a "cad block", including other cad blocks. 

 

Unfortunately, you can't make a group that contains both a 2D cad block and a symbol object.  Seems like it would be handy if you could but I guess that means someone needs to send in a feature request since this is not something you can do now.

 

But you can associate any 2D cad block and any set of 3D surfaces when you make a symbol object.  This will give you complete control over what the object looks like in a plan view as well as what it looks like in a camera view.  Keep in mind that Chief considers cross sections and elevations "camera" views too.  This make symbol objects pretty powerful and can be used as general purpose tools.

 

Some of the symbol object types, like electrical, have some special properties that the other objects don't.  You can draw electrical connections that will attach to an electrical object but you can't have one connect to an appliance.  You can also draw an electrical connection that is not connected to anything (which used to not be true) and this can be handy in some situations.

 

As for having a stove and trying to have gas and electric lines move when the stove moves, there are some ways to make this happen but I don't think I would bother.  I would simply draw my gas and electrical lines using the cad tools and then if/when I move the stove I would then manually move the lines. This is one reason that I typically save these details for later when the layout is more stable.

 

If you wanted to get really sophisticated, you could draw all of your plumbing and hvac using molding polylines so that they would show in both plan views and camera views but I think that might be a bit advanced for this thread.

 

[JimmyTheJamb]

This is very helpful DB, thank you for the detailed reply!   I'll look into it a bit more, but it sounds like you're right that it's not worth the effort.  Thank you for the feedback, and have a great holiday!